Daily Scripture, September 13, 2025
Scripture:
Reflection:
Jesus often speaks in parables in the Gospel. He uses an image to describe what the kingdom of God is. Funny how the Scribes and Pharisees ask him to speak plainly. He reveals the meaning to His disciples! I will show you what a follower of mine looks like. One who builds their house on a firm foundation, one who has a firm foundation in God, the Rock. This is the house that can weather the storms, the daily afflictions and bombardments.
This day in 1810 inaugurated Mexico’s war for independence. A Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo rang the church bells in 1810. In the form of grito, he “decried” Spanish oppression with an impassioned speech. The brutal war lasted nearly eleven years. To this day, the tradition continues with the Mexican president ringing the same 200+year bell at midnight and reciting the cry of pain.
The bell continues to ring out across our world; we hear the cries of the earth. The war in Ukraine persists. Incidents of gun violence are taking the lives of our children. With all these events, what is our firm foundation? We are crying out and searching for our firm foundation. Christ indeed says that in the world that you will have trouble. But also, to take courage because He has conquered the world. Let us hear these “gritos” and stretch out our hands to our needy brothers and sisters. God bless!
Fr. Phillip Donlan, CP, is the Associate Director of Ministry at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center, Citrus Heights, California.
Scripture: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19John 2:1-5aLuke 24:35-48 Reflection: When Wayne Dyer was alive, he fervently advocated for simple strategies to cultivate a joyful spiritual life, emphasizing that hate can always be » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 6:1-7John 6:16-21 Reflection: “…Do not be afraid…It is I…” Quite a scene in today’s Gospel: Jesus’ disciples riding in a boat on the sea, heading toward Capernaum. It’s » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 5:34-42John 6:1-15 Reflection: “So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 5:27-33John 3:31-36 Reflection: I must admit I occasionally find the Gospel of John difficult to comprehend. Some passages can be obscurely mystical, enigmatic, even downright Delphic. Today’s gospel » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 5:17-26John 3:16-21 Reflection: There were things about my childhood that were difficult and even traumatic. In the hard work of coming to terms with them, I learned that » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 4:32-37John 3:7b-15 Reflection: Hello Nicodemus! We are with Nicodemus, the man who first came to Jesus at night. He moves from darkness to the light, faith in Jesus. » Continue Reading.
The Annunciation of the Lord Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10Hebrews 10:4-10Luke 1:26-38 Reflection: As children, we often recited the “Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary” during May and October. Although I » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 4:32-351 John 5:1-6John 20:19-31 Reflection: There was no needy person among them,for those who owned property or houses would sell them,bring the proceeds of the sale,and put them » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 4:13-21Mark: 16:9-15 Reflection: Tucked away in a grove of trees on the campus of St Anselm College in New Hampshire is a small cemetery where dozens of Benedictine » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 4:1-12John 21:1-14 Reflection: Experiencing someone coming back to life after you clearly knew they were dead has got to rock your world. A week earlier you were walking » Continue Reading.