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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, April 25, 2013

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5b-14 Mark 16:15-20 Reflection: Mark’s gospel is the oldest and the shortest of the four gospels.  It was probably written in Rome for a Gentile community of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 23, 2013

Scripture: Acts 11:19-26 John 10:22-30 Reflection: In our first reading from Acts, Luke tells us that "it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians." What does it » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 22, 2013

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18 John 10:1-10 Reflection: ‘John baptized with water but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ Acts 11: 16 The first time I heard about baptism in » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 21, 2013

Scripture: Acts 13:14, 43-52 Revelation 7:9, 14b-17 John 10:27-30 Reflection: Mary Tallchief was a famous ballerina, recently deceased, noteworthy for her achievement, given her background as a Native American: a » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 20, 2013

Scripture: Acts 9:31-42 John 6:60-69 Reflection: In the First Reading today, Peter heals the sick and raises Dorcas from the dead.  I wonder what Peter’s thoughts were when miracles started » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 19, 2013

Scripture: Acts 9:1-20 John 6:52-59 Reflection: "So Ananias went and entered the house, laying his hands on him; he said, "Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 18, 2013

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40 John 6:44-51 Reflection: In the early 19th century, Rev. Dr. John Scudder, missionary and physician, was the first medical missionary in India.  He became convinced that he » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 17, 2013

Scripture: Acts 8:1b-8 John 6:35-40 Reflection: "Play it again, Sam" (from the film, Casablanca) aptly describes the representation of events we hear about in our bible readings for today’s eucharist: » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 16, 2013

Scripture: Acts 7:51-8:1a John 6:30-35 Reflection: Being a Witness In the first reading of today’s liturgy we are given the account of the brave witnessing to Christ of Stephen, which » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 14, 2013

Scripture: Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 Revelation 5:11-14 John 21:1-19 Reflection: There is something incredibly touching about meeting Jesus on the beach as he appears to the disciples casually cooking and inviting » Continue Reading.

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