• 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 18, 2025

Scripture:

1 Timothy 4:12-16
Luke 7:36-50

Reflection:

“If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” -Luke 7:39-40

All of us, probably, have had the experience of walking into our home, or a classroom or a workplace and instinctively felt the chilly reception we were getting. There were no overt signals that we were not wanted or signs of disrespect. But there were many little things that spoke volumes and loudly. The lack of a sincere welcome, the abrupt change of conversation, the veneer of social niceties in words, without the warmth and happy gestures, make us wary and uncomfortable. It seems that in people’s minds, we are judged, and we have failed to meet their expectations of us as a human being, family members, friends and persons worthy of their friendship.

If we are so attuned to this kind of experience in our society, Jesus was also. Jesus knew when he was being used. Jesus knew when people were saying one thing to his face but thinking another thing behind his back. Yet, Jesus did not avoid these encounters. In fact, he seemed to welcome them. The Gospel for today’s Mass demonstrates that.

Jesus is invited to a dinner being given by a “certain Pharisee” who may have been well known for his prestige, social status and wealth. Jesus enters and reclines at the table with him. We later find out that he was not welcome with the common courtesies of the day: his feet washed, a kiss of greeting and an anointment that would certainly fill the room with a nice fragrance. We get the impression that the Pharisee was doing Jesus a great favor by having him sit at the table with him.

The other important person in this Gospel account is “a sinful woman in the city.” There could be no greater contrasts than between these two people: a man of power, prestige and wealth and a woman who was well known for her sinful life.

One of the many layers found in this Gospel passage is that of entitlement. The sense of entitlement comes more easily to people of status, wealth, power, and social standing. That doesn’t mean that all of us also have a sense of entitlement, but some are able to exercise it more easily and without impunity, without shame. The examples are legion.

Jesus’ parable within the Gospel passage shows us that all of us are indebted because all of us are sinners. No one has the right to claim superiority over another human being. All of us have sinned. All of us are in need of forgiveness. All of us depend upon God’s mercy.

God’s love for us is all-inclusive. God loved us from the time we were in our mother’s womb. The sign of God’s love for us is forgiveness.

Jesus knew how to break the cycle of social inequality. No human law can dehumanize a person and classify that person as untouchable, inferior, unforgivable, unlovable. Only the human mind and heart can do that.

This is why Jesus’ command to love one another as he loves us is so liberating. It puts us in our place: children of God and brothers and sisters to one another. We don’t have to worry if this person is worthy of our love and attention, or if this “sinner” is loved and can be forgiven by God! That is why God is God.

Those at the table with Jesus ask: “Who is this who can even forgive sins?” Thank God, it is Jesus, our Lord, and Savior!

Fr. Clemente Barrón, C.P. is the local superior of Mater Dolorosa Community in Sierra Madre, California. 

Daily Scripture, July 15, 2012

Scripture: Amos 7:12-15 Ephesians 1:3-14 Mark 6:7-13 Reflection: In 1979, Immaculate Conception Parish on Chicago’s northwest side celebrated the 75th anniversary of its’ founding.  One of its’ several Jubilee projects » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 19, 2012

Scripture: Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19 Matthew 11:28-30 Reflection: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord." Matthew 11:28   » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 14, 2012

Memorial of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8 Matthew 10:24-33 Reflection: There is a certain theme in the reading from Isaiah for the Mass today that I have always loved.  » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 13, 2012

Scripture: Hosea 14:2-10 Matthew 10:16-23 Reflection: In this time of election campaigns and the over 1 billion dollars that will be spent among the  contenders, our country continues to be » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 12, 2012

Scripture: Hosea 11:1-4, 8c-9 Matthew 10:1-7 Reflection: I knew a catholic family who had five sons and three daughters. The parents came to the church regularly and worked hard. Their » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 11, 2012

Scripture: Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12 Matthew 10:1-7 Reflection: Called to Mission More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus called together an imperfect, improbable, implausible group of individuals, even called them by » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 10, 2012

Scripture: Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13 Matthew 9:32-38 Reflection: Humans have created and worshipped idols from the time of antiquity. Today, you do not walk into a Catholic Church and see golden » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 9, 2012

  Scripture: Hosea 2:16, 17b-18, 21-22 Matthew 9:18-26       Reflection: Don’t Forget the Honeymoon Recently I recommended a book to over a thousand people. I should have read » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 8, 2012

Scripture: Ezekiel 2:2-5 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Mark 6:1-6a Reflection: Do you have a thorn in the flesh? Perhaps it is fear, a feeling of rejection, or a physical ailment. It » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 7, 2012

Scripture: Amos 9:11-15 Matthew 9:14-17 Reflection: My father made a very good living in the 1950’s as a laundryman. For you young Passionists who don’t know what a laundryman does, » Continue Reading.

  • « Previous
  • 1
  • …
  • 414
  • 415
  • 416
  • 417
  • 418
  • …
  • 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