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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, December 31, 2011

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-21 John 1: 1-18    Reflection: "In the beginning was the Word." It’s the last day of the year and the eve of a new one.  For many » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 27, 2011

Feast of Saint John the Apostle Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4 John 20: 1a, 2-8 Reflection: Maybe it’s just me, but I sure could use a few miracles in my life.  » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 26, 2011

Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr Scripture: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 Matthew 10:17-22 Reflection: The celebration of the feast of the Church’s first martyr, St. Stephen, on the day following Christmas » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 25, 2011

  Christmas Day Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-6 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14   Reflection: "Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 24, 2011

  Christmas Eve Scripture: Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 Luke 1:67-79     Reflection: The Look of God  "Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 23, 2011

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 Luke 1:57-66 Reflection: In today’s Gospel reading, we have Luke’s account of the birth of John the Baptist. For the last few days we have heard » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 22, 2011

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:24-28 Luke 1:46-56 Reflection: In the first reading Hannah brought Samuel to the temple and left him there… too bad that’s not an option today – I » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 21, 2011

  Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-18a Luke 1:39-45       Reflection: "Satchel" Paige was a pitcher in the Negro League during his prime, pitching 50 no-hit games during that time before » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 20, 2011

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent  Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14 Luke 1: 26-38 Reflection: In five days we will celebrate the feast of Christmas.  Hovering over the Scripture readings for » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 19, 2011

Scripture: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a Luke 1:5-25 Reflection: "So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others." Luke » Continue Reading.

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