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The Love that Compels

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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, January 26, 2014

Scripture: Isaiah 8:23-9:3 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Matthew 4:12-23 Reflection: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 24, 2014

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:3-21 Mark 3:13-19 Reflection: And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. Mark 3:13   » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 23, 2014

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:6-9; 19:1-7 Mark 3:7-12 Reflection: In today’s first reading from 1 Samuel, the women of Israel sing with joy about the triumph over the Philistines, but their » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 21, 2014

Memorial of St. Agnes Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Matthew 13:44-46 Reflection: A couple of years ago I was visiting our beautiful retreat center in Sierra Madre, California.  Situated in the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 20, 2014

Scripture: I Samuel 15: 16-23 Mark 2: 18-22 Reflection: "Old habits die hard!"  Now, there’s a truism!  As I’ve gotten older I’ve noticed that conversations, and even disagreements, with long-time » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 19, 2014

Scripture: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 John 1:29-34 Reflection: "I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 17, 2014

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22a Mark 2:1-12 Reflection: "Agency first, God second." These are the words spoken twice by ‘Clover’ in the movie "The Good Shepherd" starring Matt Damon (playing » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 16, 2014

  Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:1-11 Mark 1:40-45 Reflection: How do we recognize and take God’s divine presence in and among us?  Do we see it as symbolic, or a living » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 15, 2014

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20 Luke 1:29-39 Reflection: The passage from 1 Samuel begins with a description of the religious situation of Israel after the time of the judges: "a » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 13, 2014

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-8 Mark 1:14-20 Reflection: Fish are a central feature in the Christian story. When Jesus feeds the multitude in the wilderness, fish are the entrée. When funds » Continue Reading.

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The Passionists of Holy Cross Province
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