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Daily Reflections

Daily Scripture, July 14, 2025

Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin

Scripture:

Exodus 1:8-14, 22
Matthew 10:34-11:1

Reflection:

The Enduring Shadow of Cruelty

When we look back at history, as far back as the oldest writings of the Old Testament, the patterns of human cruelty are stark and undeniable. From the ancient Egyptians’ subjugation of the Jewish people to the systematic genocide perpetrated by the Germans in the last century, the echoes of injustice reverberate. We see it in the brutal enslavement of Africans by 17th and 18th-century plantation owners in the Americas, and in the genocide inflicted upon indigenous peoples by settlers across the continent. Today is no exception. Tyrants and the people who support them unleash invasions and bombs, indiscriminately murdering innocent civilians.

A Call to Action: Choosing Compassion

Given this enduring legacy of cruelty, how can each of us contribute to nudging human behavior away from it, starting within our own families and communities? Is it truly so difficult to love both our neighbors and our enemies?

Every moment presents a choice. When we have a stressful thought or when someone causes us stress, what can we do to transform our thinking into positive thoughts and action? Or when we feel offended, don’t we have an opportunity to transform that offense into deeper understanding? We can choose compassion over contempt, and empathy over animosity. By making these conscious choices, we begin to dismantle the roots of cruelty, one interaction at a time.

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

Daily Scripture, August 3, 2015

Scripture: Numbers 11:4b-15 Matthew 14:13-21   Reflection: “Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 2, 2015

Scripture: Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15 Ephesians 4:17, 20-24 John 6:24-35 Reflection: Last Sunday we began reading from the 6th Chapter of St. John’s Gospel. It is most explicitly and candidly a » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 1, 2015

Scripture: Leviticus 25:1, 8-17 Matthew 14:1-12 Reflection: The Scripture readings we hear in today’s Eucharist are a study in contrasts.  The first reading from Leviticus deals with some of the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 31, 2015

Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola  Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 Luke 14:25-33 Reflection:  “Whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” “Any of you who does not renounce » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 30, 2015

Scripture: Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38 Matthew 13:47-53   Reflection: In our first reading today we see Moses building a Dwelling for the Lord. “He (Moses) brought the ark into the Dwelling…”  » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 29, 2015

Scripture: Exodus 34:29-35 Matthew 13:44-46   Reflection: Jesus said to his disciples:  “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 27, 2015

Scripture: Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34 Matthew 13:31-35   Reflection: A New Reformation I suppose most of us succumb, throughout our lives, to the sin of “them and us”…that is, we project » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 26, 2015

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:42-44 Ephesians 4:1-6 John 6:1-5 Reflection: “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 25, 2015

Feast of Saint James, Apostle Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Matthew 20:20-28 Reflection: What was the mother of James and John thinking? Jesus has just finished talking about his betrayal, the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 24, 2015

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17 Matthew 13:18-23   Reflection:  A Jealous God “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.” Ex 20:5    Jealousy is a repulsive word.   Jealousy means my ability » Continue Reading.

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