Daily Scripture, September 13, 2025
Scripture:
Reflection:
Jesus often speaks in parables in the Gospel. He uses an image to describe what the kingdom of God is. Funny how the Scribes and Pharisees ask him to speak plainly. He reveals the meaning to His disciples! I will show you what a follower of mine looks like. One who builds their house on a firm foundation, one who has a firm foundation in God, the Rock. This is the house that can weather the storms, the daily afflictions and bombardments.
This day in 1810 inaugurated Mexico’s war for independence. A Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo rang the church bells in 1810. In the form of grito, he “decried” Spanish oppression with an impassioned speech. The brutal war lasted nearly eleven years. To this day, the tradition continues with the Mexican president ringing the same 200+year bell at midnight and reciting the cry of pain.
The bell continues to ring out across our world; we hear the cries of the earth. The war in Ukraine persists. Incidents of gun violence are taking the lives of our children. With all these events, what is our firm foundation? We are crying out and searching for our firm foundation. Christ indeed says that in the world that you will have trouble. But also, to take courage because He has conquered the world. Let us hear these “gritos” and stretch out our hands to our needy brothers and sisters. God bless!
Fr. Phillip Donlan, CP, is the Associate Director of Ministry at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center, Citrus Heights, California.
Memorial of Saint Augustine Scripture: 2 Thesslonians 3:6-10, 16-18Matthew 23:27-32 Reflection: Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Augustine of Hippo, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. We all know » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3a, 14-17Matthew 23:23-26 Reflection: In today’s Gospel reading, we Continue to hear Jesus’ criticisms of the Scribes and Pharisees. Today, Jesus says “Woe” to them because they » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12Matthew 23:13-22 Reflection: There comes a time when you just have to lay things out boldly and unvarnished. There comes a moment when you cannot accept » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18bEphesians 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32John 6:60-69 Reflection: Our Gospel reading for Sunday (John 6:60-69) marks the end of the Bread of Life Discourse which we have » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Revelation 21:9b-14John 1:45-51 Reflection: Come to Me In most Eucharist liturgies a Psalm is presented to us as response to the Scriptural readings. In the feast of the apostle » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14Matthew 22:34-40 Reflection: In our first reading we have a dramatic account of the prophet Ezekiel being led “in the spirit of the Lord,” in the “center of » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ezekiel 36:23-28Matthew 22:1-14 Reflection: Behind the dramatic scenes of today’s gospel story, there are indeed lessons for us. Buts first let us rid ourselves of the distracting events of » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ezekiel 34:1-11Matthew 20:1-16 Reflection: How do we use our power and authority in relation to others? Do we use them to care for and help others? To offer comfort, » Continue Reading.
Feast of St. Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church Scripture: Ezekiel 28:1-10Matthew 19:23-30 Reflection: Among the many gifts that I’ve cherished over the years, are stories of the truly » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ezekiel 24:15-24Matthew 19:16-22 Reflection: Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure » Continue Reading.