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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, January 22, 2009

Scripture: Hebrews 8:6-13 Mark 3:13-19 Reflection: "Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me." Ps 40: 6 I’ve always had a hard time saying » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 21, 2009

Scripture: Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17 Mark 3:1-6 Reflection: Barack Obama carries out his first full day of work as the President of the U.S. today.  His presidency represents a change in » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 18, 2009

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19 1Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20 John 1:35-42 Reflection: "Here I am, Lord, You called?" "Jesus,  I heard Your call and I ended up with  a sense of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 16, 2009

Scripture: Hebrews 4:1-5, 11Mark 2:1-12 Reflection: There is only one joy for me that equals the wonder and excitement of travel and that is…coming home. That first moment when I » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 17, 2009

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-16 Mark 2:13-17 Reflection: Our first reading today from the book of Hebrews begins; "The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 15, 2009

Scripture: Hebrews 3:7-14 Mark 1:40-45 Reflection: This week began ordinary time. Liturgically we have stepped out of the wonder of the great Christmas season. Our hearts were touched by the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 11, 2009

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 or Isaiah 55: 1-11 Acts 10:34-38 or 1 John 5:1-9 Mark 1:7-11 Reflection: No sooner did Jesus emerge from the muddy River Jordan, than the skies » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 9, 2009

Scripture: 1 John 5:5-13 Luke 5:12-16 Reflection: Real fear is at the least unnerving.  More often, stomach knotting, hand freezing fear is debilitating and can give rise to spontaneous, maybe » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 8, 2009

Scripture: 1 John 4:19-5:4 Luke 4:14-22a Reflection: We are in the Christmas Season until Jan. 11th. The Christmas story tells us that God loved us so much that he gave » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 7, 2009

Scripture: 1 John 4:11-18 Mark 6:45-52 Reflection: "God has loved us and sent is Son as an expiation for our sins. If God has so loved us, we must have » Continue Reading.

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