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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, May 20, 2012

  Scripture: Acts 1: 1-11 Ephesians 1: 17-23 Mark 16: 15–20     Reflection: While today is the Seventh Sunday of Easter, in many dioceses in the United States, the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 17, 2012

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 1:17-23 or 4:1-13 or 4:1-7, 11-13 Mark 16:15-20 Reflection: We experience many transitions throughout our lives. These transitions occur often and sometimes unexpected. We seldom know what » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 16, 2012

Scripture: Acts 17:15, 22-18:1 John 16:12-15 Reflection: Meeting God’s People Where They Are Last week I attended the Presbyteral Convocation for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and one of the things » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 15, 2012

Scripture: Acts 16:22-34 John 16:5-11 Reflection: When we read the Acts of the Apostles and see the sufferings that the early missionaries like Paul and his companion Silas had to » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 14, 2012

Feast of St. Matthias Scripture: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 John 15:9-17 Reflection: For this feast of St. Matthias there is an element in the sacred scriptures that we will surely find » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 12, 2012

Scripture: Acts 16:1-10 John 15:18-21 Reflection: Today’s readings speak to me of the spiritual balancing act that Christians face.   In John’s Gospel, Jesus reminds the disciples that the message » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 13, 2012

Scripture: 1 Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 1 John 4:7-10 John 15:9-17 Reflection: When I was five years old, my Grandma, Margarita, had to chase me around the house in order to » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 11, 2012

Scripture: Acts 15:22-31 John 15:12-17 Reflection: "I chose you." It was traditional that disciples chose the rabbi under whom they wanted to study.  Paul, the Apostle, boasts of how he » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 8, 2012

Scripture: Acts 14:19-28 John 14:27-31a Reflection: During this fifty-day season of Easter, we must believe that the resurrection of Jesus can make a difference in our daily life. Perhaps there » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 9, 2012

  Scripture: Acts 15:1-6 John 15:1-8       Reflection: Embrace the Good Word A lot hinges on a few words in today’s readings. In John’s Gospel we hear the » Continue Reading.

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