• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

  • Migration
    • Statement from Passionist Leadership Regarding Current United States Immigration Policies
    • The Global Migration Crisis: What Can a Retreat Center Do?
  • Laudato Si’
    • Laudato Si’ 2023-24 Report and 2024-25 Plan
    • Ways to Live Laudato Siˊ
    • Sustainable Purchasing
      • Sustainable Purchasing Guide
      • Hints for Sustainable Meetings and Events
      • Sustainable Living Hints
    • Passion of the Earth, Wisdom of the Cross
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Celebrating the Season of Creation
  • Pray
    • Daily Reflections
    • Prayer Request
    • Sunday Homily
    • Passionist Spirituality and Prayer
    • Video: Stations of the Cross
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
  • Grow
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • The Passionist Way
    • Retreat Centers
    • Passionist Magazine
    • Passionist Ministries
      • Preaching
      • Hispanic Ministry
      • Parish Life
      • Earth and Spirit Center
      • Education
      • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Journey into the Mystery of Christ Crucified
    • Celebrating the Feast of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Subscribe to E-News
    • Sacred Heart Monastery
      • History of Sacred Heart Monastery
      • A Day in the Life of Senior Passionists
      • “Pillars” of the Community
  • Join
    • Come and See Holy Week Discernment Retreat
    • Are You Being Called?
    • Province Leadership
    • Vocation Resources
    • Passionist Brothers
    • The Life of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Discerning Your Call
    • Pray With Us
    • Passionist Vocation Directors
    • World Day for Consecrated Life
    • Lay Partnerships
  • Connect
    • Find a Passionist
    • Passionist Websites
    • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Alumni Association
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
      • St. Gemma Circle of Giving Intentions
    • Leave a Legacy
      • Giving Matters
      • Ways to Give
      • Donor Relations
      • Testimonials
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
    • Privacy Policy Statement
  • Learn
    • Our Passionist History: Webinar Series
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • Our Founder
    • History
    • The Letters of St. Paul of the Cross
    • The Diary of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Mission and Charism
    • Saints and Blesseds
    • FAQs
    • Find a Passionist
    • STUDIES IN PASSIONIST HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY
  • Safe Environments

Daily Reflections

Daily Scripture, July 14, 2025

Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin

Scripture:

Exodus 1:8-14, 22
Matthew 10:34-11:1

Reflection:

The Enduring Shadow of Cruelty

When we look back at history, as far back as the oldest writings of the Old Testament, the patterns of human cruelty are stark and undeniable. From the ancient Egyptians’ subjugation of the Jewish people to the systematic genocide perpetrated by the Germans in the last century, the echoes of injustice reverberate. We see it in the brutal enslavement of Africans by 17th and 18th-century plantation owners in the Americas, and in the genocide inflicted upon indigenous peoples by settlers across the continent. Today is no exception. Tyrants and the people who support them unleash invasions and bombs, indiscriminately murdering innocent civilians.

A Call to Action: Choosing Compassion

Given this enduring legacy of cruelty, how can each of us contribute to nudging human behavior away from it, starting within our own families and communities? Is it truly so difficult to love both our neighbors and our enemies?

Every moment presents a choice. When we have a stressful thought or when someone causes us stress, what can we do to transform our thinking into positive thoughts and action? Or when we feel offended, don’t we have an opportunity to transform that offense into deeper understanding? We can choose compassion over contempt, and empathy over animosity. By making these conscious choices, we begin to dismantle the roots of cruelty, one interaction at a time.

.Jack Dermody is President of Share Our Gifts, Inc., a Passionist alumni organization dedicated to assisting those who live in poverty; he is also editor of CrossRoads, the Passionist Alumni Association’s newsletter.

Daily Scripture, October 5, 2012

Scripture: Job 38:1, 12-21, 40:3-5 Luke 10:13-16 Reflection: Metanoeo – Greek – To turn around, to change one’s thinking, to repent. Today’s readings all deal with repentance. But they look at » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 4, 2012

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi Scripture: Galatians 6:14-18 Matthew 11:25-30 Reflection: During this month of October the lives of many religious founders are celebrated; today’s special scripture selections for » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 7, 2012

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-24 Hebrews 2:9-11 Mark 10:2-16 or 10:2-12 Reflection: Riding the number 36 Broadway bus in Chicago can be quite an adventure. It winds its way through some gentrifying » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 3, 2012

  Scripture: Job 9:1-12, 14-16 Luke 9;57-62       Reflection: One day I took part in a discussion with a group of high school seniors.  The leader of the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 2, 2012

Memorial of the Guardian Angels Scripture: Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23 Matthew 18:1-5, 10 Reflection: As I write this reflection, I am finishing a month’s duty in Rome, as interpreter for » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 1, 2012

Scripture:    Job 1:6-22       Luke 9:46-50 Reflection: Our readings open with the story of Job.  At the very beginning the narrator cleverly draws us into this ancient epic tale.  Opening with » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, September 30, 2012

Scripture: Numbers 11:25-29 James 5:1-6 Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 Reflection: I don’t have more recent statistics.  But I offer the following stats from the year 2000 for reflection on today’s » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, September 29, 2012

Scripture: Revelation 12:7-12 John 1:47-51 Reflection: Today we celebrate the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels.  It’s a great day to sit back and remember how much God » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, September 27, 2012

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 Luke 9:7-9 Reflection: Sometimes, I suppose we’re all like Herod the Tetrarch; we keep trying to see Jesus. But like Herod, or like Jesus’ disciples, it’s a » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, September 26, 2012

Scripture: Proverbs 30:5-9 Luke 9:1-6 Reflection:  For most of us the classical Greek axiom, "moderation in all things," seems a reasonable tenet to live by.  It seems all the more » Continue Reading.

  • « Previous
  • 1
  • …
  • 403
  • 404
  • 405
  • 406
  • 407
  • …
  • 523
  • Next »

Footer

Support the Passionists

Contact the Passionists

Name

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province
660 Busse Highway | Park Ridge, IL 60068
Tel: 847.518.8844 | Toll-free: 800.295.9048 | Fax: 847.518.0461
Safe Environments | Board Member Portal | Copyright © 2025 | Log in