• 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 9, 2025

Memorial of St. Peter Claver

Scripture:

Colossians 2:6-15
Luke 6:12-19

Reflection:

The Twelve, Witnesses to Wholeness

We celebrated on Sunday the canonization of Carlo Acutis and Giorgio Frassati, young men noted for their devotion to the Eucharist. Eight years ago, also on the 23rd Sunday of the year, Teresa of Calcutta was canonized. “The saint of the gutters. Dispenser of Divine Mercy for the crimes of Poverty. A light that shines in the darkness for the many who no longer have tears to shed for their poverty and suffering.” In these saints we see together the Sacramental presence of Jesus, and the ‘servant love’ of John’s Last Supper gospel. Two aspects of the Eucharist at times in tension instead of in unison.

In our daily readings have just concluded a section where the beautiful and holy Sabbath become a focus for argument. Jesus defends his disciples who eat grain in the fields on a Sabbath, and then Jesus is challenged about healing on the Sabbath. The beauty of Sabbath, a day of joy and prayer, a day remembering God’s creation and recreation, is lost in the ugliness of such arguments.

During the Babylonian exile the Torah receives a final editing. One editor known as the ‘priestly author’, adds sections of ritual, celebrations of the feasts and common prayer life of Israel. The Sabbath was celebrated from early times among the people of Israel, as a joyful, prayerful day of rest. During the exile a new emphasis appears affirming the identity of Israel in exile as a holy people for a Holy God with their unique rituals. To the Sabbath celebrated in homes or small gatherings during exile rituals were added. The prophet Ezequiel emphasizes the importance of the Sabbath and law, “Even God submitted to the law of the Sabbath”, and Sabbath laws are proclaimed by Nehemiah when the people rededicate themselves to God after their return to Jerusalem. What Israel brought back from Babylon was new to those who did not go into exile. Strangely it was the Pharisees who called for more leniency from the strictest laws. In Jesus life time the Sadducees where strict, the Pharisees less so, although the arguments about the Sabbath in our readings are with the Pharisees.

In the arguments the profound spirituality we hear in a Talmud reflections is lost: ‘On the eve of the Sabbath a special gift is given, it is taken away when Sabbath ends’. The Sabbath is a gift of grace. Or the custom originating in the fifteenth century of processing out of town to greet the arrival of the Sabbath and returning, chanting “Come Bride, Come Bride”. Later a special song develops and continues even into modern times at the singing of the last verse the cantor and congregation stand and turn to face the door to welcome the Royal Bride of the Sabbath, the Beloved of Israel.

In today’s gospel Jesus ends the arguing and selects his 12 apostles. They will replace the twelve tribes of Israel, be witnesses to the resurrection, and the 12 pillars of the New Jerusalem, the Kingdom of God that Jesus proclaims.

We live in a time of tension and division, a fragile holding together more than a time of gathering the richness of harvest. As the Twelve followed Jesus, taking up their crosses we as disciples do the same. May lesser things not distract our hearts, or keep us from from seeing and enjoying the treasures that we possess.

Fr. William Murphy, CP is a member of Immaculate Conception Community in Jamaica, New York.

Daily Scripture, August 29, 2011

The Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist Scripture: Jeremiah 1:17-19 Mark 6:17-29 Reflection: Today we recall the story regarding the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist.  The movie versions of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 27, 2011

Memorial of Saint Monica Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11 Matthew 25:14-30 Reflection: Today we remember St. Monica, known as the mother of St. Augustine, but also famous in her own right.  » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 25, 2011

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 Matthew 24:42-51 Reflection: "Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.   Today’s Gospel speaks about » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 24, 2011

Feast of Saint Bartholomew  Scripture: Revelations 21:9b-14 John 1:45-51 Reflection: Jesus loves sincerity!   He says Nathaniel is a true Israelite.  The word true in Greek is  alēthōs and means unhidden.   » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 23, 2011

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Matthew 23:23-26 Reflection: In today’s Gospel reading, we hear Jesus pronouncing "woes" on the scribes and the Pharisees. He calls them hypocrites because they pay greater » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 22, 2011

The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8b-10 Matthew 23:13-22 Reflection: Today we celebrate the Queenship of Our Blessed Mother. As I write this reflection, some » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 20, 2011

Memorial of Saint Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church Scripture: Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17 Matthew 23:1-12 Reflection: Many of us can talk the talk, but how many of us » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 21, 2011

Scripture: Isaiah 22:19-23 Romans 11:33-36 Matthew 16:13-20 Reflection: During this post-councilor period, some deconstructing has been taking place in the authority arrangements within the church.  Known over the centuries as » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 18, 2011

Scripture: Judges 11:29-39a Matthew 22:1-14 Reflection: In the first reading from Judges we read about Jephthah who was willing to lead an army against his enemies, the Ammonites.  He asked » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 17, 2011

Scripture: Judges 9:6-15 Matthew 20:1-16 Reflection: Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last. Matthew 20:16 This is a passage that we hear often in the » Continue Reading.

  • « Previous
  • 1
  • …
  • 441
  • 442
  • 443
  • 444
  • 445
  • …
  • 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