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Daily Reflections

Daily Scripture, August 2, 2025

Scripture:

Leviticus 25:1, 8-17
Matthew 14:1-12

Reflection:

“God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all the work God had done in creation.” ~ Genesis 2:3

From the beginning, rest has been built into the intense work of creation. Later known as the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week was a time to pause from regular work and daily activities to focus on connecting with God and others. 

In today’s reading from Leviticus, God asks Moses to establish a jubilee year every 49 years.  In the tradition of the Sabbath, it is to be a year of rest and restoration for the people and the land. In respect for God’s gift of Creation, no sowing, harvesting, or pruning is to be done, so the land can regenerate.  And the jubilee year has an added dimension: it is to be a year of liberation, promoting the dignity of all persons. All land is to be returned to its original owners or their heirs. Since the land belongs to God, the Israelites were merely tenants or stewards of it; so, the land could never be sold forever. All indentured servants (slaves) are to be freed. And all debts are forgiven.

Ever since 1300, when Pope Boniface VII convoked a holy year, the church has celebrated jubilee years every 25 or 50 years. And in December 2024, Pope Francis announced 2025 to be a jubilee year as well. How we need the wisdom and the spirit of jubilee now!

  • We are rapidly losing the irreplaceable gifts of Creation to pollution, deforestation, and desertification.
  • Wars are waged, and people’s lives are destroyed over territorial boundary (land) disputes, especially in Europe and the Middle East.
  • People are being trafficked as modern-day slaves.

The basis of the jubilee year is our total reliance on God, our Hope. In announcing the 2025 Jubilee year, Pope Francis prays that our renewed hope in God will give us the confident trust required for our work in promoting the dignity of all persons and the respect for God’s creation:

“The coming Jubilee will thus be a Holy Year marked by the hope that does not fade, our hope in God. May it help us to recover the confident trust that we require, in the Church and in society, in our interpersonal relationships, in international relations, and in our task of promoting the dignity of all persons and respect for God’s gift of creation.”

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 Detroit, Michigan. Patty is currently a member of the Laudato Si’ Team and the Passionist Solidarity Network.

Daily Scripture, December 13, 2008

Scripture: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11 Matthew 17:9a, 10-13 Reflection: Growing up, I had a "lazy muscle" in my left eye.  After 7th grade, our eye doctor, Dr. Lhotka, performed surgery to » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 12, 2008

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe  Scripture: Zechariah 2:14-17 Luke 1:26-38 Reflection: A few weeks ago the national news media carried the story of a woman from Bakersfield, California who » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 11, 2008

Scripture: Isaiah 41:13-20 Matthew 11:11-15 Reflection: "And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come." The message of the good news of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 8, 2008

Feast of the Immaculate Conception Scripture: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 Luke 1:26-38 Reflection: In the midst of this season of hope, every year we celebrate this solemnity of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 9, 2008

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11 Matthew 18:12-14 Reflection: Have you ever had a song or melody in your head and were not able to shake it no matter how hard you tried?  » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 4, 2008

Scripture: Isaiah 26:1-6 Matthew 7:21, 24-27 Reflection: We’re early into Advent, with some three weeks of growth ahead of us before the great Christmas celebration.  The Christmas music has already » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 5, 2008

Scripture: Isaiah 29:17-24 Matthew 9:27-31 Reflection: What is the relationship between faith and good works?   This has always been a difficult issue.  Some may say they have faith, while being criticized » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 10, 2008

Scripture: Isaiah 40:25-31 Matthew 11:28-30 Reflection: The Isaiah reading for today provides the text for one of the most frequently used hymns at funerals – On Eagle’s Wings by Michael » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 3, 2008

Scripture: Isaiah 25:6-10a Matthew 15:29-37 Reflection: Last Sunday inaugurated Advent with Jesus urging "vigilance," "watchfulness,"  "and "attentiveness." Why? To allow His presence to more fully embrace us, become part of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 2, 2008

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10 Luke 10:21-24 Reflection: The Advent Season is a time for travel!  We recall pregnant Mary’s journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth; we accompany Mary and Joseph as » Continue Reading.

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