• 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 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, April 1, 2024

Scripture: Acts 2:14, 22-23Matthew 28:8-15 Reflection: You know how when you have an amazing experience, you must share that story with your friends and family, telling it over and over? » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 31, 2024

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord Scripture: Acts 10:34a, 37-43Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8John 20:1-9 or Matthew 28:1-10 Reflection: Grace Filled Easter What lovely words from the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 29, 2024

Good Friday Scripture: Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12Hebrews 4:14 -16; 5:7-9John 18:1-19:42 Reflection: Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice. -John 18:37 When I was a child, Good » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 28, 2024

Holy Thursday Scripture: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-141 Corinthians 11:23-26John 13:1-15 Reflection: LENT IS OVER!  For the past six weeks we have prayed, fasted and performed acts of kindness and service for » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 25, 2024

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-7John 12:1-11 Reflection: Mary Found Favor with God Every Sunday when we proclaim the Creed, we remind ourselves that we believe in the “Communion of the Saints.”  But » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 24, 2024

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion Scripture: Mark 11:1-10 or John 12:12-16Isaiah 50:4-7Philippians 2:6-11Mark 14:1-15:47 Reflection: Todays’ liturgy begins with Christ’s entry into Jerusalem.  After 3 years of incredible healings, miracles » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 23, 2024

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:21-28John 11:45-56 Reflection: In our Gospel reading, some people go to the Pharisees to tell them what Jesus had done, notably raising Lazarus from the dead. So, the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 22, 2024

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:10-13John 10:31-42 Reflection: Israel in general, is a desert land sprinkled with stones as far as the eye can see – a whitewashed stony land. It was the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 21, 2024

Scripture: Genesis 17:3-9John 8:51-59 Reflection: In our first reading, God established a covenant with Abram. He changed his name to Abraham.  Abram means exalted father.  By changing his name to » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 20, 2024

Scripture: Daniel 3: 14-20, 91-92, 95John: 8: 31-42 Reflection: Today we hear that wonderful story of the three brothers, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refused to worship a foreign god, » Continue Reading.

  • « Previous
  • 1
  • …
  • 44
  • 45
  • 46
  • 47
  • 48
  • …
  • 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