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Daily Reflections

Daily Scripture, July 14, 2025

Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin

Scripture:

Exodus 1:8-14, 22
Matthew 10:34-11:1

Reflection:

The Enduring Shadow of Cruelty

When we look back at history, as far back as the oldest writings of the Old Testament, the patterns of human cruelty are stark and undeniable. From the ancient Egyptians’ subjugation of the Jewish people to the systematic genocide perpetrated by the Germans in the last century, the echoes of injustice reverberate. We see it in the brutal enslavement of Africans by 17th and 18th-century plantation owners in the Americas, and in the genocide inflicted upon indigenous peoples by settlers across the continent. Today is no exception. Tyrants and the people who support them unleash invasions and bombs, indiscriminately murdering innocent civilians.

A Call to Action: Choosing Compassion

Given this enduring legacy of cruelty, how can each of us contribute to nudging human behavior away from it, starting within our own families and communities? Is it truly so difficult to love both our neighbors and our enemies?

Every moment presents a choice. When we have a stressful thought or when someone causes us stress, what can we do to transform our thinking into positive thoughts and action? Or when we feel offended, don’t we have an opportunity to transform that offense into deeper understanding? We can choose compassion over contempt, and empathy over animosity. By making these conscious choices, we begin to dismantle the roots of cruelty, one interaction at a time.

.Jack Dermody is President of Share Our Gifts, Inc., a Passionist alumni organization dedicated to assisting those who live in poverty; he is also editor of CrossRoads, the Passionist Alumni Association’s newsletter.

Daily Scripture, August 30, 2009

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8 James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27 Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Reflection: We’ve all seen the bumper sticker that says, Think Peace.  I like the one that says, Forget » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 28, 2009

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Matthew 25:1-13 Reflection: Be prepared!  That seems to be a mantra for much of the western world. From Boy Scouts to financial planning, preparedness is a » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 31, 2009

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Luke 4: 16-30 Reflection: As Jesus stood up, he must have known that he had a reputation to live up to and he also knew the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 29, 2009

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:17-19 Psalms 71:1-2; 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab and 17 Mark 6:17-29 Reflection: An old friend and I were speaking recently about the rise of violence against religion throughout the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 26, 2009

Feast of Blessed Dominic Barberi, CP Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 Matthew 23:27-32 Reflection: Today we celebrate the feast of Passionist Blessed Dominic Barberi.  Orphaned as a small child, Dominic was » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 27, 2009

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 Matthew 24:42-51 Reflection: "Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming."  Take a moment to reflect on the countless ways » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 22, 2009

  Scripture: Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11, 4:13-17 Matthew 23:1-12 Reflection:  "Blessed are you who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways… your children (will be) like olive plants around your table."  (Ps » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 16, 2009

  Scripture: Proverbs 9:1-6 Ephesians 5:15-20 John 6:51-58   Reflection:   There is a popular Bruce Springsteen song that contains the lyric, “Everybody has a hungry heart…Everybody wants to have » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 19, 2009

Scripture:  Judges 9:6-15 Mtthew 20:1-16 Reflection: "Are you envious because I am generous? Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last." (Matt. 20:16) This is how » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 18, 2009

Scripture: Judges 6:11-24a Matthew 19:23-30 Reflection: Both readings bring us face to face with some basic challenges.  Gideon puts his concern right out there: "For now the Lord has abandoned » Continue Reading.

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