• 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 Scripture, November 26, 2024

Scripture:

Revelation 14:14-19
Luke 21:5-11

Reflection:

We have often heard the saying, “Humans plan, and God laughs.” We like being in control. We like thinking we’re in control. We’re not good with being out of control.

In today’s Gospel from the Evangelist Luke, we can imagine Jesus smirking as the crowd eyes the beautifully adorned Temple, proudly marveling at what humans have created. He says, “All that you see here – the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

Later this week we will gather in prayer and feasting to celebrate Thanksgiving. When growing up, the Pilgrims’ Story was, as I recall, a tale of amazing endurance and faith, and less about overeating. I had the sense that the plans of these early settlers did not go as expected. They were probably quite surprised they had lived to tell the tale and celebrate the largess of God’s bounty.

While maybe not as dramatic as the Pilgrims’ Story, our stories might be told similarly. We probably all can look back on our lives with some humility, maybe even surprise. I know that when I reflect back to my early 20s and what I thought my life would look like when I was in my late 40s (I’m way beyond that now!), it is rather humorous. Yes, I was planning and God was laughing. But I could not be more grateful, even if surprised and certainly humbled.

Rather than hold stubbornly to our plans, faith means being attentive to the Spirit. We need to be people of discernment. We need to be open to how God engages us and draws us forward. As the Prophet Jeremiah assures us: “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans of fullness and not of harm, plans to have you hope and a future” (Jer 29:11). Can we trust in this promise?

Robert Hotz is a consultant with American City Bureau, Inc. and was the Director of The Passion of Christ: The Love That Compels Campaign for Holy Cross Province.

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