Daily Scripture, July 1, 2025
Scripture:
Genesis 19:15-29
Matthew 8:23-27
Reflection:
Today’s first reading is one of the most dramatic examples of God’s mercy in the Old Testament. The story begins earlier in Genesis with God telling Abraham that Sodom and its people will be destroyed due to their sinful ways. Abraham negotiates with God to save the city if 50 good people can be found. Abraham keeps lowering the bar but not even 10 good people can be found. Finally, God agrees to save Lot and his family from the destruction. The story catches up in today’s reading with two angels telling Lot to leave Sodom before it is destroyed. When Lot keeps delaying, the angels physically lead the family to safety.
In this story we encounter a listening, forgiving God. In other words, a merciful God for our times, too. Unlike human mercy, which can be limited and conditional, God’s mercy is unlimited and unconditional, not earned by us but freely given to us.
God patiently listened to Abraham and spared Lot and his family. When family or friends suffer illnesses, tragedies or personal loss, we respond that they are in our prayers. Do we also pray to God to intercede on behalf of victims of war, poverty, discrimination, and mental health crises? Do we have faith that God will listen to our prayers?
When God first tells Abraham that Sodom will be destroyed, no exception was made for Lot. We can speculate that Lot most likely delayed leaving Sodom because he was comfortable there despite the depravity of the city. Despite Lot’s actions, God forgave him. Whether we have minor stumbles or serious failings, God’s mercy is waiting for us, too. Do we respond to this gift by working to do better?
We are called to imitate God’s mercy in our own lives and challenged to be more forgiving, compassionate and loving towards others. By doing so, we not only honor God but also contribute to a more just and humane world.
Mike Owens is the coordinator of the Passionist Alumni Association and a member of the Migration Commission of Holy Cross Province. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.
Scripture: Titus 3:1-7Luke 17:11-19 Reflection: We continue today with the gospel of St. Luke in the section referred to as Jesus’ “Journey to Jerusalem.” This is an important narrative, featuring » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Titus 2:1-8, 11-14Luke 17:7-10 Reflection: Legacy: “something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.” A question that is asked periodically in our family » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Titus 1:1-9Luke 17:1-6 Reflection: From Millstone to Mulberry Tree Today’s gospel begins with a millstone and ends with a mulberry tree. It begins with the sea and ends with » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Kings 17:10-16Hebrews 9:24-28Mark 12:38-44 Reflection: The story of the Widow’s Mite has often generated guilt within me. She gave everything she had, as did the widow who made » Continue Reading.
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Scripture: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 121 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17John 2:13-22 Reflection: What Does Sea World and a Group of Frenzied First Grades Have in Common? » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Philippians 3:17-4:1Luke 16:1-8 Reflection: How do you act in a crisis? Many of us are experiencing crises these days. It may be your loved one sick or dying from » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Philippians 3:3-8aLuke 15:1-10 Reflection: This man welcomes sinners and eats with them. -Luke 15:2 I like to get up around sunrise. I am close to the Western Lake Michigan » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18Luke 14:25-33 Reflection: My anthropology teacher in college, Dr. Warren Roth, was skilled at expanding my narrow ways of thinking. In one class, instead of profiling the culture » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11Luke 14:15-24 Reflection: Brothers and Sisters: have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 2:5 Go out quickly into the streets and » Continue Reading.
Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4Luke 14:12-14 Reflection: Called to Serve the Least, the Last, the Lost… We continue the journey of our annual November commemoration of saintly » Continue Reading.