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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, September 14, 2013

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Daily Scripture, September 13, 2013

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Daily Scripture, September 12, 2013

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Daily Scripture, September 11, 2013

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Daily Scripture, September 10, 2013

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-15 Luke 6:12-19 Reflection: My dad died in August at the age of 85. Dad converted to Catholicism when he was 19, intellectually convinced that it was the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, September 9, 2013

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Daily Scripture, September 7, 2013

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Daily Scripture, September 8, 2013

Feast of the Nativity of Mary Scripture: 8 Wisdom 9:13-18b Philemon 9-10, 12-17 Luke 14:25-33 Reflection: In Sunday’s Gospel reading (Luke 14:25-33), we continue to hear challenging words from Jesus » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, September 4, 2013

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-8 Luke 4:38-44 Reflection: Why Believe? Today’s Gospel selection vividly recounts Jesus’ healing ministry:  the cure of the severe fever of Simon’s mother-in-law, multitudes of sick with various » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, September 6, 2013

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20 Luke 5:33-39 Reflection: Fasting & Feasting:  Towards A Change of Heart The "good old" Scribes and Pharisees:  today’s Gospel continues the saga of their confronting Jesus with » Continue Reading.

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