• 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’
    • Celebrating the Season of Creation
    • 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
  • 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, September 10, 2025

Scripture:

Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 6:20-26

Reflection:

A summary of today’s readings might look something like this: It’s okay, and can even bring blessings to be poor, hungry, sad, and excluded. It’s not okay and brings condemnation to be angry, greedy, lying, slandering, or immoral. That seems obvious and makes perfect sense. And yet, in our world the latter category is so often practiced and admired at the expense of the former. Why?

Perhaps it’s because this world is so far from the reign of God. We focus on “getting ahead,” and we don’t get ahead by being poor, hungry, sad, or excluded. In fact, we’re taught that to get ahead we must push others down by any means necessary, exclude the “other,” and be #1. It’s a zero-sum game, built on winners and losers rather than on love and the common good. Competition is king, collaboration and compromise are dead, and being at the top of the heap is the only guarantee of survival. Even the Bible is used in defense of this perspective, with wildly popular preachers teaching that the strength of a person’s faith is measured by their prosperity, health, and happiness rather than their morality, justice, and service.

In a milieu like this, it takes concerted, prolonged, and organized effort to turn things around. We must do more than just listen to the Beatitudes; we must reach out to those on the bottom of the heap, speak for them, and act on their behalf. We must live our lives as Jesus lived his, defying those who cause others to be poor, hungry, sad, or excluded. And perhaps the most frightening aspect of all: Jesus tells us that when we do, we will be hated, insulted, and excluded, and may well be pushed to the bottom ourselves. Ouch!

So, if you are willing, how can we all more faithfully live out the Beatitudes and bring God’s reign? This week, I’m looking at the ways I protect myself from seeing, serving, or (God forbid) being poor, hungry, sad or excluded. For instance, how often do I use a “white lie” to protect myself from ridicule or exclusion? How often is my anger toward someone else actually covering up that same fault in myself? How strongly is greed manifested by my determination to ensure I’m financially secure even if others aren’t? How willing am I to speak up for those at the bottom despite repercussions to myself? Am I actively advocating for marginalized people as Jesus would have me do? How much am I willing to risk in order to live out my faith?

I encourage you to ask yourself similar questions. Prophetic Gospel voices are desperately needed in our world today. Let’s do it together.

Amy Florian is an author and consultant in suburban Chicago who travels the country teaching about spirituality, grief, and healing. She has partnered with the Passionists in various ways for many years. Visit Amy’s website: http://www.corgenius.com/.

Daily Scripture, October 21, 2012

Scripture: Isaiah 53:10-11 Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 Hebrews 4:14-16 Mark 10:35-45 or 10:42-45 Reflection: The readings for today remind me of a chapter from the book, "Journeys of Courage," » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 20, 2012

Feast of St. Paul of the Cross, Founder of the Passionist Congregation Scripture:  Isaiah 61, 1-3 I Corinthians 1, 17-25 Mark 6:7-13     Reflection: Today we Passionists celebrate the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 19, 2012

Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-14 Luke 12:1-7 Reflection: "Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows." (Luke 12:7) Who of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 17, 2012

Scripture: Galatians 5:18-25 Luke 11:42-46 Reflection: The walk from our Holy Family parish to Birmingham Southern campus is a pleasant one.  My walk that August morning in 2009 had been a nice one.  » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 16, 2012

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-6 Luke 11:37-41 Reflection: Every time I read today’s passage of Luke’s Gospel, I wonder if Jesus stayed for dinner at the Pharisee’s home after he was criticized » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 15, 2012

Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus Scripture: Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1 Luke 11:29-32 Reflection: Jesus is God in the flesh. The crowds that were attracted by his preaching and cures » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 14, 2012

Scripture: Wisdom 7:7-11 Hebrews 4:12-13 Mark 10:17-30 or 10:17-27 Reflection: "Jesus, looking at him, loved him" "and he went away sad." A moment of connection seemingly ending in sadness and » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 13, 2012

Scripture: Galatians 3:22-29 Luke 11:27-28 Reflection: Jesus comes to free us. Jesus frees us to love beyond boundaries.  Jesus calls us to love freely and fully beyond the boundary of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 10, 2012

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14 Luke 11:1-4 Reflection: My one-year-old grandson John constantly looks to his parents for approval. If he gets encouragement or a hearty "Good for you!" he breaks » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 8, 2012

Scripture: Galatians 1:6-12 Luke 10:25-37 Reflection: Our church begins the "Year of Faith" on Thursday. How appropriate that we are reading from Paul’s letter to the Galatians as this year » Continue Reading.

  • « Previous
  • 1
  • …
  • 406
  • 407
  • 408
  • 409
  • 410
  • …
  • 527
  • 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