• 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’
    • Celebrating the Season of Creation
    • 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
  • 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, September 14, 2025

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Scripture:

Numbers 21:4b-9
Philippians 2:6-11
John 3:13-17

Reflection:

Condemned or saved?

Today’s gospel ends with a powerful reminder: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”

Let’s explore the profound human experience behind the words ‘condemn’ and ‘save.’

Think about the weight of being ‘condemned.’ It’s not just a legal term; it’s the feeling of being judged, ostracized, or permanently marked by our mistakes. It’s the deep sense of being cast out, of having our potential for good extinguished, of facing harsh consequences that feel final. We all carry the fear of being defined solely by our missteps, of being labeled and excluded, of facing a future that feels predetermined by our past actions.

Now consider ‘save.’ Getting saved is the essence of human connection and healing. It’s the friend who pulls us back from the brink, the community that offers a second chance, the process of being understood, supported, and helped to recover. It’s about being freed from the shackles of our past, about having the opportunity to rebuild, to mend what is broken, to find a path toward wholeness and well-being. It’s about being cared for, protected, and given the chance to grow into a better version of ourselves.

What connects these two profound experiences is our inherent capacity for both causing harm and fostering healing, both through our choices and our inactions. We all stumble, making decisions rooted in fear, ignorance, or selfishness that create ripples of negative impact on ourselves and others. These moments of failing to live up to our best selves – whether in our thoughts, our words, our actions, or even what we choose “not” to do – can lead to a sense of internal brokenness, a feeling of being disconnected from our own inherent goodness and from others.

So, the question becomes: how do we navigate these moments when we fall short? Is there a way to move beyond the negative consequences of our actions? Is there a path to internal repair, to rebuilding our sense of self-worth, and to reintegrating into a state of positive contribution and connection with the world around us? Is this what we try to remember to ask Jesus for in our prayers? Are we aligning ourselves with the path of salvation as our best path forward? It’s about consciously deciding to live with greater kindness, awareness, and integrity. It’s about learning from our mistakes, seeking to understand their impact, and actively working to prevent their recurrence. It’s about making conscious choices that promote well-being for ourselves and for all those we encounter. It’s about striving to be the best version of ourselves, not out of fear of judgment, but out of a desire to contribute positively to building God’s kingdom and to foster a world where healing and growth are always possible.

.Jack Dermody is President of Share Our Gifts, Inc., a Passionist alumni organization dedicated to assisting Passionist missions and those who live in poverty. He is also editor of CrossRoads, the Passionist Alumni Association’s newsletter.

Daily Scripture, November 23, 2023

Thanksgiving Day (USA) Scripture: Sirach 50:22-241 Corinthians 1:3-9Luke 17:11-19 Reflection: In our Gospel reading for Thanksgiving Day, ten lepers approach Jesus, at a distance, as He is traveling through Samaria » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 22, 2023

Scripture: 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31Luke 19:11-28 Reflection: Lord, I thank you for these days of faux Summer, the warmth of which is made more glorious because we have already felt » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 21, 2023

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Scripture: 2 Maccabees 6:18-31Luke 19:1-10 Reflection: Today we celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As with Mary’s birth, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 20, 2023

Scripture: 1 Maccabees 1: 10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63Luke 18: 35-43 Reflection: I am the light of the world, says the Lord;whoever follows me will have the light of life. The » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 19, 2023

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-311 Thessalonians 5:1-6Matthew 25:14-30 Reflection: Last week we reflected upon wisdom. We reflected on taking a leap of faith that following the wisdom of God, in » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 18, 2023

Scripture: Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9Luke 18:1-8 Reflection: Our readings today offer us an insight into the liturgical time of the year. Soon we will celebrate the feast of Christ the King, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 17, 2023

Scripture: Wisdom 13:1-9Luke 17:26-37 Reflection: Nobody likes to be caught off guard when something momentous is about to happen. Today’s gospel is so unnerving because it reminds us of how » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 16, 2023

Scripture: Wisdom 7:22b-8:1Luke 17:20-25 Reflection: The first reading continues our dive into the book of Wisdom. Diving calls us to go beyond the superficial level into deep reflection. The first » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 15, 2023

Scripture: Wisdom 6:1-11Luke 17:11-19 Reflection: In some ways today’s Gospel from Luke is a basic lesson in gratitude. In being thankful. Our Lord healed the ten lepers, one of the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 14, 2023

Scripture: Wisdom 2:23-3:9Luke 17:7-10 Reflection: Two major scriptural themes appear in today’s readings: God has made us in his image, and there are great blessings to receive by keeping his » Continue Reading.

  • « Previous
  • 1
  • …
  • 63
  • 64
  • 65
  • 66
  • 67
  • …
  • 527
  • 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