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Daily Reflections

Daily Scripture, July 2, 2025

Scripture:

Genesis 21:5, 8-20a
Matthew 8:28-34

Reflection:

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
When the poor one called out, the Lord heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.  ~ Psalm 34:7

This psalm response summarizes the message of today’s Scripture readings: God hears the cry of the poor, and God acts on their behalf.

And today’s readings show us very graphically what poverty looks like. In our first reading from Genesis, we find Hagar, a slave put out into the wilderness with her child, with a little food and water. When the water ran out, Hagar wept bitterly as she despaired for the life of her child. And in the Gospel reading for today, Jesus encounters two violent men, possessed by demons, feared by those around them, and relegated to living in the tombs outside of town. They cry out to Jesus for help.

The slave woman, her child and the two men living in the tombs are all on the margins of society, meaning they do not benefit from the economic and social assets enjoyed in the mainstream. Low status in society (being a slave) and those whose behavior does not conform to society’s standards, (violent and erratic behavior) lead one to the margins—and to poverty.

But God hears the cry of the poor. Hagar’s son is named “Ishmael”, which means “God hears.” God hears Hagar’s cry for her child’s life and sends an angel to help her. And Jesus hears the cry of the poor men living in the tombs and releases them from their demons.

Pope Francis, in an address for the World Day of the Poor in 2018, reaffirmed that the cries of the poor find a hearing with God. And then Pope Francis put out a challenge to us Christians: “Do we have eyes to see, ears to hear, hands outstretched to offer help? ‘Christ Himself appeals to the charity of His disciples in the person of the poor.’ (Gaudium et Spes). He asks us to recognize Him in all those who are hungry and thirsty, in the stranger and those stripped of dignity, in the sick and those in prison. The Lord stretches out His hand, freely and not out of duty. And so, it must be with us.”

Patty Gillis is a retired Pastoral Minister. She serves on the Board of Directors at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroi, Michigant. Patty is currently a member of the Laudato Si Vision Fulfillment Team and the Passionist Solidarity Network.

Daily Scripture, July 6, 2024

Scripture: Amos 9:11-15Matthew 9:14-17 Reflection: Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on war than on programs of social uplift » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 5, 2024

Scripture: Amos 8:4-6, 9-12Matthew 9:9-13 Reflection: Yes, days are coming, says the Lord GOD,when I will send famine upon the land:Not a famine of bread, or thirst for water,but for » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 4, 2024

Scripture: Amos 7:10-17Matthew 9:1-8 Reflection: The Ongoing Call to Renewal and Healing The ongoing human need for renewal, a change of heart, healing, freedom, and life… Today’s two Scripture readings » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 3, 2024

Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22John 20:24-29 Reflection: Of late, I have become very interested in astrology, inspired by the wonderful images now provided to us by » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 2, 2024

Scripture: Amos 3:1-8, 4:11-12Matthew 8:23-27 Reflection: Lord, save us, for we are perishing. -Matthew 8:25 In today’s Gospel, we find Jesus and his disciples in a boat on the Sea » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 1, 2024

Scripture: Amos 2:6-10,13-16Matthew 8:18-22 Reflection: In today’s Gospel, we hear brief exchanges between Jesus and two potential disciples. The first person is a teacher of the law, who is probably » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 30, 2024

Scripture: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-242 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15Mark 5:21-43 Reflection: In our Gospel reading for Sunday (Mark 5:21-43), we have two examples of great faith. The first person we encounter » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 29, 2024

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul Scripture: Acts of the Apostles 12:1-112 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18Matthew 16:13 -19 Reflection: Today we celebrate two great men of the Church, Saints Peter and » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 28, 2024

Scripture: 2 Kings 25:1-12Matthew 8:1-4 Reflection: In reflecting on our first reading from 2 Kings today, I felt as if I was watching the nightly news, reading the local paper, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 27, 2024

Scripture: 2 Kings 24:8-17Matthew 7:21-29 Reflection: In today’s Gospel reading Jesus continues His teaching about false prophets that we heard yesterday. He says some startling things: “not everyone who says » Continue Reading.

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