Daily Scripture, September 13, 2025
Scripture:
Reflection:
Jesus often speaks in parables in the Gospel. He uses an image to describe what the kingdom of God is. Funny how the Scribes and Pharisees ask him to speak plainly. He reveals the meaning to His disciples! I will show you what a follower of mine looks like. One who builds their house on a firm foundation, one who has a firm foundation in God, the Rock. This is the house that can weather the storms, the daily afflictions and bombardments.
This day in 1810 inaugurated Mexico’s war for independence. A Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo rang the church bells in 1810. In the form of grito, he “decried” Spanish oppression with an impassioned speech. The brutal war lasted nearly eleven years. To this day, the tradition continues with the Mexican president ringing the same 200+year bell at midnight and reciting the cry of pain.
The bell continues to ring out across our world; we hear the cries of the earth. The war in Ukraine persists. Incidents of gun violence are taking the lives of our children. With all these events, what is our firm foundation? We are crying out and searching for our firm foundation. Christ indeed says that in the world that you will have trouble. But also, to take courage because He has conquered the world. Let us hear these “gritos” and stretch out our hands to our needy brothers and sisters. God bless!
Fr. Phillip Donlan, CP, is the Associate Director of Ministry at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center, Citrus Heights, California.
Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop Scripture: Genesis 3:1-8Mark 7:31-37 Reflection: Jesus often told people not to publicize his miracles. This might seem counterintuitive – wouldn’t miracles be » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Genesis 2:18-25Mark 7:24-30 Reflection: Our Gospel for today picks up as Jesus once again travels into Gentile territory from the traditional lands of Israel. As far as we can » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-17Mark 7:14-23 Reflection: Today’s first reading from the Book of Genesis is a wonderful reminder of how good God has been to mankind from the beginning of » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Genesis 1:20 – 2:4aMark 7:1-13 Reflection: Genesis 1: Curtain-Raiser to the Drama of Salvation History With the sweep of near poetic language, Genesis 1 introduces the major themes that » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Genesis 1:1-19Mark 6:53-56 Reflection: This world exists because God’s love could not be contained even by God, and so it burst forth and poured out in creative action. Although » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-81 Corinthians 15:1-11Luke 5:1-11 Reflection: Here I am Lord; Send Me God’s invitations, callings, or vocations give unity to our Sunday readings. Can we look at the » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Hebrews 13:15-17,20-21Mark 6:30-34 Reflection: The Great Commandment…Practically Speaking Today’s two Scripture selections and the Responsorial Psalm flow together as a lived application of the Great Commandment to “love God…love » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-8Mark 6:14-29 Reflection: “Let your life be free from love of moneybut be content with what you have,for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24Mark 6:7-13 Reflection: In 2002, our archdiocese was in the throes of the clergy sex abuse scandal. In the poorest section of Louisville, where there were once » Continue Reading.
Memorial of Saint Agatha Scripture: Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15Mark 6:1-6 Reflection: Our reading from the book of Hebrews continues today as we keep progressing through this book with the biblical author » Continue Reading.