Daily Scripture, September 13, 2025
Scripture:
Reflection:
Jesus often speaks in parables in the Gospel. He uses an image to describe what the kingdom of God is. Funny how the Scribes and Pharisees ask him to speak plainly. He reveals the meaning to His disciples! I will show you what a follower of mine looks like. One who builds their house on a firm foundation, one who has a firm foundation in God, the Rock. This is the house that can weather the storms, the daily afflictions and bombardments.
This day in 1810 inaugurated Mexico’s war for independence. A Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo rang the church bells in 1810. In the form of grito, he “decried” Spanish oppression with an impassioned speech. The brutal war lasted nearly eleven years. To this day, the tradition continues with the Mexican president ringing the same 200+year bell at midnight and reciting the cry of pain.
The bell continues to ring out across our world; we hear the cries of the earth. The war in Ukraine persists. Incidents of gun violence are taking the lives of our children. With all these events, what is our firm foundation? We are crying out and searching for our firm foundation. Christ indeed says that in the world that you will have trouble. But also, to take courage because He has conquered the world. Let us hear these “gritos” and stretch out our hands to our needy brothers and sisters. God bless!
Fr. Phillip Donlan, CP, is the Associate Director of Ministry at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center, Citrus Heights, California.
Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9 John 8:21-30 Reflection: In our Gospel reading for today, Jesus is trying to convince the people that He is the Messiah, the Son sent from the Father » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Jeremiah 11:18-20 John 7:40-53 Reflection: Even good people get criticized. After reading today’s scripture reading it seems it may be more accurate to say "good people get criticized more » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Isaiah 43.16-21 Philippians 3.8-14 John 8.1-11 Reflection: The former governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, is facing trial in the court of law for various violations of his legal responsibilities » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Exodus 32:7-14 John 5:31-47 Reflection: "You search the Scriptures, but you do not want to come to me to have life." The ability to quote someone doesn’t necessarily mean » Continue Reading.
Feast of St. Joseph, husband of Mary 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: "Joseph, son of » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12 John 5:1-16 Reflection: We have beverages for every occasion-bright, bubbly, or intoxicating. But we would die without water. In the first reading, we read of » Continue Reading.
Feast of St. Patrick Scripture: Isaiah 49:8-15 John 5:17-30 Reflection: Jesus tells us in today’s reading from St. John’s Gospel, "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-21 John 4:43-54 Reflection: Yesterday the Church presented us with the hopeful gospel of the Prodigal Son. It was a message that we all needed to hear to » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Joshua 5:9a, 10-12 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 Reflection: Once again we are invited into the amazing drama of the father with his two sons. One son remains » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Hosea 6:1-6 Luke 18: 9-14 Reflection: The Roman philosopher Philo wrote: "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." Lent is described many ways: a season of » Continue Reading.