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.
Scripture: Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22Mark 16:15-18 Reflection: To Rise Above the Toxins of Disparagement, Division, and Hatred…to Remain “Unharmed by Deadly Poison” Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Hebrews 8:6-13Mark 3:13-19 Reflection: There was an old military ballad that began with the lyrics: “Give me ten men who are stout-hearted men, and I’ll soon give you ten thousand » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Hebrews 7:25-8:6Mark 3:7-12 Reflection: In our Gospel reading, Mark relates that, even though Jesus “withdrew toward the sea with his disciples,” people followed Him, hoping to be healed. Their » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17Mark 3:1-6 Reflection: In our Gospel reading for today, Jesus is in a synagogue on the Sabbath, and there is a man there with a withered hand. » Continue Reading.
Memorial of St. Agnes Scripture: Hebrews 2:14-18Mark1:29-29 Reflection: Today is the feast of St. Agnes, a popular (twelve- or thirteen-year-old) early Roman persecution martyr. Her life has been celebrated on » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Hebrews 5:1-10Mark 2:18-22 Reflection: “…new wine is for fresh skins…” Why do your followers not…doesn’t that sound familiar? A typically human response – we want everyone to do as » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Isaiah 62:1-51 Corinthians 12:4-11John 2:1-11 Reflection: You have kept the good wine until now. These are the words the headwaiter speaks to the bridegroom in today’s Gospel. While they » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-16Mark 2:13-17 Reflection: The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Hebrews 4:1-5, 11Mark 2:1-12 Reflection: The evangelist Mark depicts today’s gospel story in such vivid and dramatic detail that we feel as if we are right there in Capernaum. » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Hebrews 3:7-14Mark 1:40-45 Reflection: When I read today’s Gospel, I think of and am struck by the faith of the leper. In his despair, in his loneliness, his aloneness, » Continue Reading.