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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 1, 2013

Scripture: Sirach 51:12cd-20 Mark 11:27-33 Reflection: Today the Old Testament writer Sirach introduces us to the pursuit of wisdom by relating his own experience: "When I was young and innocent, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 10, 2013

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-7 Matthew 5:1-12 Reflection: Recently, an atheist challenged me with his belief that there is no purely selfless giving or true altruism. He declared that no matter » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 5, 2013

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Daily Scripture, June 2, 2013

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Daily Scripture, June 4, 2013

Scripture: Tobit 2:9-17 Mark 12:13-17 Reflection: Beneath the contentiousness that plays a large role in today’s readings – a marital spat between Tobit and his wife Anna, and Jesus’ verbal » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 31, 2013

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Daily Scripture, May 30, 2013

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Daily Scripture, May 27, 2013

Scripture: Sirach 17:20-24 Mark 10:17-27 Reflection:      Recently I attended a meeting for ministers of retreat centers; at one session we were asked to surface those issues which afflict contemporary people. » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 9, 2013

  Scripture: 1 Kings 17:17-24 Galatians 1:11-19 Luke 7:11-17     Reflection: Being Compassionate Prophets As we return to Luke’s gospel today we find ourselves like the disciples whom Jesus » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 8, 2013

Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Scripture: Tobit 12:1, 5-15, 20 Luke 2:41-51 Reflection: Today we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  It is certainly the » Continue Reading.

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