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Daily Reflections

Daily Scripture, July 4, 2025

Scripture:

Genesis 23:1-4,19; 24:1-8,62-67
Mathew 9:9-13

Reflection:

Celebrating U.S.A. Independence Day

Today, the liturgical guidelines encourage us in the United States to pray special prayers for Independence Day, and to choose from a variety of Scripture selections related to “public needs” and “social justice”.

Interestingly, the “regular” readings provide insights into the lives of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jesus and Matthew and the Pharisees.  Each had a special role in Salvation History – Jesus enfleshing God’s redemptive love for all humanity, even in their weakness.  We are each called to cooperate with God’s will for us in our day and age, in a world filled with both countless blessings and serious challenges.  God’s call is real, personable, encouraging — and liberating!!

The optional readings chosen for Independence Day highlight a similar dimension in our American heritage and our mission:  to cultivate and live peace.  Isaiah calls out for peace, especially for those struggling or dejected in spirit; St. Paul, writing to the Philippians, reminds us to have no anxiety, but rather to daily turn to God in prayer for our personal and communal needs.  Jesus at the Last Supper encourages his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…don’t let your hearts be troubled…”.  Thus, we recall God’s many gifts, celebrating and encouraging one another as 21st Century citizens!

Jesus gives us His peace, which is much more than the experience of deep tranquility or the absence of suffering or uncertainty.  He offers His peace that comes from the experience that God is with us, here and now, in all things and with all peoples — loving us unconditionally.  As contemporary disciples, we look to the Cross of Jesus, seeking peace and freedom from our hectic pace of life, our uncertainties, our personal and communal suffering — and even the fear, the violence and death which are part of our culture.  The unconditional love of Jesus showers each of us with His peace, with a sense of presence, freedom and redemption that transforms the challenges of each day into blessings for today and tomorrow…just as happened for the holy women and men of long ago.

May today’s celebration of the United States’ “independence” help us be grateful and then share our God-given blessings with all people!  In Jesus, may we live in fruitful peace with our sisters and brothers worldwide.

Fr. John Schork, CP, serves as the Province Vocation Director and also as Local Superior of the Passionist Community of Holy Name in Houston, Texas.  

Daily Scripture, April 23, 2009

Scripture: Acts 5:27-33 John 3:31-36 Reflection: In our Gospel reading from John, Jesus testifies about Himself: "The one who comes from above is above all…He testifies to what he has » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 22, 2009

Scripture: Acts 5:17-26 John 3:16-21 Reflection: "I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears." Ps 34: 5 I used to be really afraid, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 21, 2009

Scripture: Acts 4:32-37 John 3:7b-15 Reflection: Now that Jesus’ credentials have been established by His rising from the dead, the church re-introduces us to some elements of His teaching, a » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 20, 2009

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31 John 3:1-8 Reflection: When Jesus was alive, it seemed that the Apostles never understood his true mission.  They came to believe he was the Messiah but were » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 19, 2009

Scripture: Acts 4:32-35 1 John 5:1-6 John 20:19-31 Reflection: The drama of Holy Week and Easter continues in our readings for today’s liturgy. A key phrase for me is taken » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 18, 2009

Scripture: Acts 4:13-21 Mark 16:9-15 Reflection: Dear Jesus, I can see and hear Mary Magdalene and the two Emmaus bound disciples being pushed aside by the Disciples.   To their excited » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 17, 2009

Scripture: Acts 4:1-12 John 21:1-14 Reflection: "There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 15, 2009

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10 Luke 24:13-35 Reflection: The joy, power, and wonder of the Resurrection are in every sentence of our readings. Peter’s words to the cripple beggar "in the name » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 13, 2009

Scripture: Acts 2:14, 22-33 Matthew 28:8-15 Reflection: Easter Monday (or Bright Monday, as our Orthodox sisters and brothers call it), continues the mystery of Jesus Risen, as we will celebrate » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 11, 2009

Holy Saturday  Scripture: Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28 Romans 6:3-11 Mark 16:1-7     Reflection: On this day, all is quiet.  This day is broken by no liturgical function. Christ lies in » Continue Reading.

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