• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

  • Migration
    • Statement from Passionist Leadership Regarding Current United States Immigration Policies
    • The Global Migration Crisis: What Can a Retreat Center Do?
  • Laudato Si’
    • Laudato Si’ 2023-24 Report and 2024-25 Plan
    • Ways to Live Laudato Siˊ
    • Sustainable Purchasing
      • Sustainable Purchasing Guide
      • Hints for Sustainable Meetings and Events
      • Sustainable Living Hints
    • Passion of the Earth, Wisdom of the Cross
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Celebrating the Season of Creation
  • Pray
    • Daily Reflections
    • Prayer Request
    • Sunday Homily
    • Passionist Spirituality and Prayer
    • Video: Stations of the Cross
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
  • Grow
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • The Passionist Way
    • Retreat Centers
    • Passionist Magazine
    • Passionist Ministries
      • Preaching
      • Hispanic Ministry
      • Parish Life
      • Earth and Spirit Center
      • Education
      • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Journey into the Mystery of Christ Crucified
    • Celebrating the Feast of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Subscribe to E-News
    • Sacred Heart Monastery
      • History of Sacred Heart Monastery
      • A Day in the Life of Senior Passionists
      • “Pillars” of the Community
  • Join
    • Come and See Holy Week Discernment Retreat
    • Are You Being Called?
    • Province Leadership
    • Vocation Resources
    • Passionist Brothers
    • The Life of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Discerning Your Call
    • Pray With Us
    • Passionist Vocation Directors
    • World Day for Consecrated Life
    • Lay Partnerships
  • Connect
    • Find a Passionist
    • Passionist Websites
    • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Alumni Association
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
      • St. Gemma Circle of Giving Intentions
    • Leave a Legacy
      • Giving Matters
      • Ways to Give
      • Donor Relations
      • Testimonials
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
    • Privacy Policy Statement
  • Learn
    • Our Passionist History: Webinar Series
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • Our Founder
    • History
    • The Letters of St. Paul of the Cross
    • The Diary of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Mission and Charism
    • Saints and Blesseds
    • FAQs
    • Find a Passionist
    • STUDIES IN PASSIONIST HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY
  • Safe Environments

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, November 4, 2023

Scripture: Romans 11:1-2,11-12,25-29Luke 14:1, 7-11 Reflection: 2023 Holiday Humility Jesus & “table fellowship”:  today’s Gospel recounts Jesus dining at the home of one of the leading Pharisees.  It’s truly a » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 3, 2023

Scripture: Romans 9:1-5Luke 14:1-6 Reflection: Dropsy (or Oedema) is a build-up of fluid in the body which causes the affected tissue to become swollen. The swelling can occur in one particular » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 2, 2023

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) Scripture: Wisdom 3:1-9Romans 6:3-9John 6:37-40 Reflection: All Souls Day is traditionally the third day of Allhallowtide—right after Halloween and All Saints’ » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 1, 2023

Solemnity of All Saints Scripture: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-141 John 3:1-3Matthew 5:1-12a Reflection: Have you experienced reading an article or listening to a presentation and felt like the writer or speaker » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 31, 2023

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25Luke 13:18-21 Reflection: Happy Tuesday in the 30th Week of Ordinary Time! Do you remember your first Religion Book?  Mine was the St Joseph Baltimore Catechism, which all » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 30, 2023

Scripture: Romans 8:12-17Luke 13:10-17 Reflection: Sometimes I just want to scream in frustration. Each time I read today’s Gospel story about the crippled woman bent over and completely incapable of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 29, 2023

Scripture: Exodus 22:20-261 Thessalonians 1:5–10Matthew 22:34-40 Reflection: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. -Matthew 22:40 Love for God and Love for our neighbor are the two main themes for » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 27, 2023

Scripture: Romans 7:18-25a Luke 12:54-59 Reflection: Lord, it is not easy to accept that I don’t understand something.  I mean, there are vast tracts of brilliant interpretations from timeless theologians » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 26, 2023

Scripture: Romans 6:19-23Luke 12:49-53 Reflection: Jesus says to his disciples in today’s gospel from Luke (12:49-53): “I have come to set the earth on fire,and how I wish it were » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 25, 2023

Scripture: Romans 6:12-18Luke 12:39-48 Reflection: Even though it is not explicitly mentioned, I see both of our readings for today looking at the implications of having a personal relationship with » Continue Reading.

  • « Previous
  • 1
  • …
  • 59
  • 60
  • 61
  • 62
  • 63
  • …
  • 523
  • Next »

Footer

Support the Passionists

Contact the Passionists

Name

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province
660 Busse Highway | Park Ridge, IL 60068
Tel: 847.518.8844 | Toll-free: 800.295.9048 | Fax: 847.518.0461
Safe Environments | Board Member Portal | Copyright © 2025 | Log in