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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, July 13, 2011

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12 Matthew 11:25-27 Reflection: Okay Jesus, you really have me confused. Just a few paragraphs back in the Gospel of Matthew you were criticizing the people of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 12, 2011

  Scripture: Exodus 2:1-15a Matthew 11:20-24       Reflection: What if you knew for certain that there was a worldwide event about to take place and you told everyone you » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 11, 2011

Scripture: Exodus 1:8-14, 22 Matthew 10:34-11:1 Reflection: "I have come to bring, not peace, but the sword." Matthew’s gospel is the only one that includes these disturbing words of Jesus.  » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 10, 2011

  Scripture: Isaiah 55:10-11 Romans 8:18-23 Matthew 13:1-23 or 13:1-9     Reflection: There are two aspects of seed-growing highlighted in today’s readings.  One aspect is my responsibility to plant » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 6, 2011

Scripture: Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a Matthew 10:1-7 Reflection: The Gospel of Matthew begins today the second of the five discourses of Jesus. In this particular discourse Jesus talks about conducting missionary » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 7, 2011

  Scripture: Genesis 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5 Matthew 10:7-15       Reflection: Sometimes miracles can stand in the way of faith.  The Gospels are replete with stories of large numbers » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 5, 2011

Scripture: Genesis 32:23-33 Matthew 9:32-38 Reflection: The gospel today provides a tremendous snapshot of the mind and heart of Jesus.  First, it speaks of casting out a demon so that » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 3, 2011

Scripture: Zechariah 9:9-10 Romans 8:9, 11-13 Matthew 11:25-30 Reflection: In Sunday’s Gospel reading from Matthew (11:25-30), we hear these familiar words from Jesus: "Come to me, all you who labor » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 2, 2011

Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Scripture:  Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29 Luke 2:41-51 Reflection: Sometimes the religious world reveals its all too human frailty. We know that even today, the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 9, 2011

Scripture: Genesis 49:29-32; 50:15-26a Matthew 10:24-33 Reflection: A Happy Ending Just Out of Reach We conclude today our reading of the Book of Genesis. It’s ending is the ending of » Continue Reading.

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