• 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’
    • 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
    • Celebrating the Season of Creation
  • 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, July 1, 2025

Scripture:

Genesis 19:15-29
Matthew 8:23-27

Reflection:

Today’s first reading is one of the most dramatic examples of God’s mercy in the Old Testament. The story begins earlier in Genesis with God telling Abraham that Sodom and its people will be destroyed due to their sinful ways. Abraham negotiates with God to save the city if 50 good people can be found. Abraham keeps lowering the bar but not even 10 good people can be found. Finally, God agrees to save Lot and his family from the destruction. The story catches up in today’s reading with two angels telling Lot to leave Sodom before it is destroyed. When Lot keeps delaying, the angels physically lead the family to safety.

In this story we encounter a listening, forgiving God. In other words, a merciful God for our times, too. Unlike human mercy, which can be limited and conditional, God’s mercy is unlimited and unconditional, not earned by us but freely given to us.

God patiently listened to Abraham and spared Lot and his family. When family or friends suffer illnesses, tragedies or personal loss, we respond that they are in our prayers. Do we also pray to God to intercede on behalf of victims of war, poverty, discrimination, and mental health crises? Do we have faith that God will listen to our prayers?

When God first tells Abraham that Sodom will be destroyed, no exception was made for Lot. We can speculate that Lot most likely delayed leaving Sodom because he was comfortable there despite the depravity of the city. Despite Lot’s actions, God forgave him. Whether we have minor stumbles or serious failings, God’s mercy is waiting for us, too. Do we respond to this gift by working to do better?

We are called to imitate God’s mercy in our own lives and challenged to be more forgiving, compassionate and loving towards others. By doing so, we not only honor God but also contribute to a more just and humane world.

Mike Owens is the coordinator of the Passionist Alumni Association and a member of the Migration Commission of Holy Cross Province. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Daily Scripture, January 29, 2011

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 Mark 4:35-41 Reflection: What are you afraid of? Scientists say that all animals, including human beings, are hardwired with a "fight or flight principle." That is » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 28, 2011

  Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas   Scripture: Hebrews 10:32-39 Mark 4:26-34   Reflection: Today’s Gospel includes one of the most well known of the parables-the parable of the mustard » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 27, 2011

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25 Mark 4:21-25 Reflection: A U.S. Senator is reported to have asked Mother Teresa if she ever became discouraged when she sees the greatness of the world’s poverty » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 26, 2011

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-8 or 1 Timothy 1:1-5 Mark 3:22-30 Reflection: On this day our Church invites us to remember St. Timothy and St. Titus, bishops of the early Church.  » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 24, 2011

Feast of St. Francis de Sales Scripture: Hebrews 9:15, 24-28 Mark 3:22-30 Reflection: Today we celebrate the feast of St Francis de Sales.    He was born at Thorens, in the Duchy » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 23, 2011

Scripture: Isaiah 8:23-9:3 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Matthew 4:12-23 Reflection: In our Gospel reading from Matthew, we hear the account of Jesus calling His first disciples in Galilee. When Jesus » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 22, 2011

Scripture: Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14 Mark 3:20-21 Reflection: "He entered once for all into the sanctuary."  Hebrews 9:11 Jesus made a way for us to enter into the very throne room » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 21, 2011

Memorial of St. Agnes  Scripture: Hebrews 8:6-13 Mark 3:13-19 Reflection: Our parish church in Louisville is named after St. Agnes.  She was a young girl in the ranks of the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 19, 2011

Scripture: Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17 Mark 3:1-6 Reflection: "Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 15, 2011

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-16 Mark 2:13-17 Reflection: Jesus breaks the boundaries and expectations of the religious leaders of his day by calling Levi to be one of his disciples.  Levi’s friends » Continue Reading.

  • « Previous
  • 1
  • …
  • 452
  • 453
  • 454
  • 455
  • 456
  • …
  • 522
  • 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