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.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8 Psalm: 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5 James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27 Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Reflection: Strong words come forth from today’s readings! Moses, the prophet of the Passover » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Matthew 25:14-30 Reflection: In the opening reading the first line captures me: "Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters." When I reflect seriously upon my own » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17-25 Matthew 25:1-13 Reflection: "Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." Today’s Gospel story of the ten virgins, five wise and five » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b Ephesians 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32 John 6:60-69 Reflection: "So, what are you going to do?" This basic question about what is fundamentally important in our » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Revelation: 21:9b-14 John 1:45-51 Reflection: A small fortune is spent each year on fishing baits. A bait is a lie. We cleverly trick the fish into thinking there is » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ezekiel 34:1-11 Matthew 20:1-16 Reflection: "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want." Psalm 23:1 I have been struggling to write this reflection… the reason being: » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3a, 14-17 Matthew 23:23-26 Reflection: Jesus speaks often of the sin of hypocrisy. It certainly seems that this was one of the sins that dismayed Jesus the » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ezekiel 36:23-28 Matthew 22:1-14 Reflection: In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells a parable about a feast that a king gave for his son’s wedding. People are invited, but they » Continue Reading.
Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope Scripture: Ezekiel 28. 1-10 Matthew 19.23-30 Reflection: Around 1440 the author John Lydgate observed that "comparisons are odious". The phrase caught on, and has » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ezekiel 24:15-23 Matthew 19:16-22 Reflection: Please bear with me as I start my reflection with a story that may seem very far afield from today’s readings. Years ago » Continue Reading.