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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, March 26, 2011

Scripture: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 Reflection: "Forgiveness is choosing to love. It is the first skill of self-giving love". –Mahatma Gandhi As I read today’s Gospel, one word » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 23, 2011

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:18-20 Matthew 20:17-28 Reflection: On one of my talks for the weekend retreat, I remark that Jesus knew what it was like to be misunderstood. In today’s Gospel, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 24, 2011

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-10 Luke 16:19-31 Reflection: Listening to God Each day when we reflect on the readings of the day it is a prayerful way of listening to the word of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 22, 2011

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 Matthew 23:1-12 Reflection: Well, it has been almost two weeks now since the first day of Lent, when most of us had our foreheads marked with » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 21, 2011

Scripture: Daniel 9:4b-10 Luke 6:36-38 Reflection: As the Japanese people continue their recovery efforts, following the devastations that overpowered parts of their nation, they are undoubtedly wondering how or whether » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 19, 2011

Feast of Saint Joseph Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16 Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Luke 2:41-51a Reflection: "When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 18, 2011

  Scripture: Ezekiel 18:21-28 Matthew 5:20-26       Reflection: "But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 15, 2011

  Scripture: Isaiah 55:10-11 Matthew 6:7-15       Reflection: We often call the "Our Father" the Lord’s Prayer. But when I think about it isn’t a prayer that Jesus » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 13, 2011

First Sunday of Lent   Scripture: Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7 Romans 5:12-19 or 5:12, 17-19 Matthew 4:1-11   Reflection: Welcome to the first Sunday of Lent. While the church began lent » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 11, 2011

Friday after Ash Wednesday Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-9a Matthew 9:14-15 Reflection: Lent is the time we’re supposed to give up things, right?  Television, golf, dessert. We’ve all heard the question: "What » Continue Reading.

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