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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, June 24, 2013

  The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-6 Acts 13:22-26 Luke 1:57-66, 80   Reflection: Behold the Lamb of God "Behold, one is coming after me;" Act » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 23, 2013

Scripture: Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1 Galatians 3:26-29 Luke 9:18-24 Reflection: In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus asks His disciples a question: "Who do the crowds say that I am?" And after they » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 21, 2013

Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga  Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:18, 21-30 Matthew 6:19-23 Reflection: Today is the longest day of the year–or close to it.  This means we can accomplish more » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 20, 2013

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-11 Mattew 6:7-15 Reflection: The readings for today seem to be about simplicity and transparency. In the first reading we find St. Paul wondering if he made » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 19, 2013

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Reflection: "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." II Corinthians 9:6   When I was » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 16, 2013

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13 Galatians 2:16, 19-21 Luke 7:36-8:3 or 7:36-50 Reflection:  In today’s Gospel reading (Luke 7:36-8:3), we see Jesus at the house of Simon the Pharisee, and » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 17, 2013

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 Matthew 5:38-42 Reflection: To understand the wisdom behind the selection of readings, step backward two thousand years into the community of believers situated in Corinth. Corinth » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 13, 2013

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:15-4:1, 3-6 Matthew 5:20-26 Reflection: Three weeks ago, Presbyterian brothers and sisters attacked six Pentecostals about an hour away from where I live. Four people received knife » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 12, 2013

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 Matthew 5:17-19 Reflection: Jesus took the law seriously and wherever possible he obeyed it.  He knew that the spirit of the law was only possible because » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 11, 2013

Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle Scripture: Acts 11:21b – 26; 13:1-3 Matthew 5:13-16 Reflection: The first violin in an orchestra, also called the concertmaster, is the leader not only of the » Continue Reading.

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