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.
Scripture: 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31 Luke 19: 11-28 Reflection: The role of the mother in the first reading from the Book of Maccabees’ opened up a flood of memories from » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9 Luke 18:1-8 Reflection: Today’s Gospel leaves us with a question that surely crosses the minds of us all at one time or another: "But when the » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Wisdom 13:1-9 Luke 17:26-37 Reflection: The beaches and waterfalls of Hawaii, the snow-capped Rocky Mountains, the fjords of Norway…..all of these are places of great natural beauty. Perhaps your » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Wisdom 7:22b-8:1 Luke 17:20-25 Reflection: Many people in India wear a colorful dot on their foreheads. This location, between the eyebrows, is known by various names such as the » Continue Reading.
Feast of Saint Martin of Tours Veterans Day Scripture: Wisdom 6:1-11 Luke 7:11-19 Reflection: November 11 was originally proclaimed Armistice Day, from the armistice that ended hostilities in » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Kings 17:10-16 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44 or 12:41-44 Reflection: Widows are women who have gone through suffering. They have experienced the loss of their husbands and have had » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Wisdom 2:23-3:9 Luke 17:7-10 Reflection: My beloved Uncle Leo died when I was 14 years old. I remember standing frozen at the funeral home, looking at the lifeless body » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17 John 2:13-22 Reflection: The parents were going away for a long weekend and Grandma and Grandpa were coming to stay with » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Romans 16:3-9, 16, 22-27 Luke 16:9-15 Reflection: It is interesting that the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, which is his most formal presentation of the revelation of » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Romans 15:14-21 Luke 16:1-8 Reflection: If we had invested our money with Bernie Madoff, we might not appreciate the story Jesus tells in the Gospel reading. Madoff had billions » Continue Reading.