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Daily Reflections

Daily Scripture, September 14, 2025

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Scripture:

Numbers 21:4b-9
Philippians 2:6-11
John 3:13-17

Reflection:

Condemned or saved?

Today’s gospel ends with a powerful reminder: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”

Let’s explore the profound human experience behind the words ‘condemn’ and ‘save.’

Think about the weight of being ‘condemned.’ It’s not just a legal term; it’s the feeling of being judged, ostracized, or permanently marked by our mistakes. It’s the deep sense of being cast out, of having our potential for good extinguished, of facing harsh consequences that feel final. We all carry the fear of being defined solely by our missteps, of being labeled and excluded, of facing a future that feels predetermined by our past actions.

Now consider ‘save.’ Getting saved is the essence of human connection and healing. It’s the friend who pulls us back from the brink, the community that offers a second chance, the process of being understood, supported, and helped to recover. It’s about being freed from the shackles of our past, about having the opportunity to rebuild, to mend what is broken, to find a path toward wholeness and well-being. It’s about being cared for, protected, and given the chance to grow into a better version of ourselves.

What connects these two profound experiences is our inherent capacity for both causing harm and fostering healing, both through our choices and our inactions. We all stumble, making decisions rooted in fear, ignorance, or selfishness that create ripples of negative impact on ourselves and others. These moments of failing to live up to our best selves – whether in our thoughts, our words, our actions, or even what we choose “not” to do – can lead to a sense of internal brokenness, a feeling of being disconnected from our own inherent goodness and from others.

So, the question becomes: how do we navigate these moments when we fall short? Is there a way to move beyond the negative consequences of our actions? Is there a path to internal repair, to rebuilding our sense of self-worth, and to reintegrating into a state of positive contribution and connection with the world around us? Is this what we try to remember to ask Jesus for in our prayers? Are we aligning ourselves with the path of salvation as our best path forward? It’s about consciously deciding to live with greater kindness, awareness, and integrity. It’s about learning from our mistakes, seeking to understand their impact, and actively working to prevent their recurrence. It’s about making conscious choices that promote well-being for ourselves and for all those we encounter. It’s about striving to be the best version of ourselves, not out of fear of judgment, but out of a desire to contribute positively to building God’s kingdom and to foster a world where healing and growth are always possible.

.Jack Dermody is President of Share Our Gifts, Inc., a Passionist alumni organization dedicated to assisting Passionist missions and those who live in poverty. He is also editor of CrossRoads, the Passionist Alumni Association’s newsletter.

Daily Scripture, June 5, 2025

Scripture: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11John 17:20-26 Reflection: Every February, when the season of Lent begins, the word “Repent” rings in our ears. Many of us are signed with ashes on that » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 4, 2025

Scripture: Acts 20:28-38John 17:11-19 Reflection: More Than Good-bye As summertime unfolds for those of us in the northern hemisphere, many of us will embark upon summer vacation trips of various » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 3, 2025

Scripture: Acts 20:17-27John 17:1-11a Reflection: In Jesus’s prayers and discourses in John’s gospel, one can hear the early Christian community blending tradition, lived experience, and theologising together into the one » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 2, 2025

Scripture: Acts 19:1-8John 16:29-33 Reflection: It was a chilly spring evening in 1958, and I processed into the church with my classmates to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. This was » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 1, 2025

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11Ephesians 1:17-23Luke 24:46-53 Reflection: The scene for today’s Gospel is the town of Bethany where Jesus gives his final words to the disciples—a reminder of the saving power » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 31, 2025

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-18a, or Romans 12:9-16Luke 1:39-56 Reflection: Happy Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary! In today’s passage » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 30, 2025

Scripture: Acts 18:9-18John 16:20-23 Reflection: Farewells are rarely joyful.  At best, they are bitter-sweet.  Bitter because departure pains the heart.  Sweet because only through the departure, a kind of letting » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 29, 2025

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11Ephesians 1:17-23Luke 24:46-53 Reflection:  They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy.  -Luke 24:53 Today is unique when it comes to the readings for » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 28, 2025

Scripture: Acts 17:15, 22-18:1John 16:12-15 Reflection: I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always. Thanks be to God for sending us » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 27, 2025

Scripture: Acts 16:22-34John 16:5-11 Reflection: “I will send to you the Spirit of truth, says the Lord; he will guide you to all truth.” John 16:13 (Gospel Acclamation) In a » Continue Reading.

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