Blind Guides

Photo of a snail on sedum with the Shalom Snail couplet printed beneath.
โ€œBlind Guidesโ€
Luke 6:39-40 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Friday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 6:39-40

And he told them a parable, โ€œCan a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?… Read the rest

Coals of Fire

โ€œCoals of Fireโ€
A reflection on Luke 6:27-36, Matthew 26:52, and Proverbs 25:21-22
Thursday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 6:27-36

But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.… Read the rest

Four Beatitudes and Four Woes

Photo of snail and dahlia with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 6:20-26: "Blessed are those who bear Christโ€™s shame / 
And die for the sake of his name."
โ€œFour Beatitudes and Four Woesโ€
A reflection on Luke 6:20-26
Wednesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 6:20-26

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:

โ€œBlessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.… Read the rest

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Photo of snail and dahlia speaking the reflection on Song of Song 6:10: "O Mary fair as the moon and pure as the sun, / 
Fearsome as bannered troopsโ€”the victory is won."
โ€œThe Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Maryโ€
A reflection on Song of Songs 6:10
Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Midmorning Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Bannered Troops

Who is this that comes forth like the dawn,
as beautiful as the moon, as resplendent as the sun,
as awe-inspiring as bannered troops?

Read the rest

To Save Life or to Destroy It?

Photo of snail on purple coneflower with text overlay of reflection on Luke 6:6-11: "When heart and mind are out of whack, / 
Doubts plague whether to heal or wrack."
โ€œTo Save Life or to Destroy It?โ€
Luke 6:6-11 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Monday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 6:6-11

On another sabbath he went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.… Read the rest

Harmony of Hearts

โ€œHarmony of Heartsโ€
A reflection on Matthew 18:19-20
Sunday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 18:19-20 (RSV)

โ€œAgain I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.ย … Read the rest

The Heart of the Sabbath

Photo of a snail amid phlox with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 6:1-5: "Kindness and mercy give joy to Godโ€™s heart. / 
Sabbaths without mercy his sheep discard."
โ€œThe Heart of the Sabbathโ€
A reflection on Luke 6:1-5
Saturday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 6:1-5

While he was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.… Read the rest

The Bridegroom and His Guests

Photo of snail amid cleome hassleriana with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 5:33-39: "The Bridegroom has come, bringing new cloth and wine. / 
The guests of the bridechamber must drink and dine."
โ€œThe Bridegroom and His Guestsโ€
Luke 5:33-39 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Friday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 5:33-39

And they said to him, โ€œThe disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.โ€… Read the rest

The Cure of Simon’s Mother-in-Law

Photo of snail and periwinkle with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 4:38-39: "Simonโ€™s mother-in-law was down with a fever. / 
Cured by the Word, she sprang up as housekeeper."
โ€œThe Cure of Simonโ€™s Mother-in-Lawโ€
Luke 4:38-39 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 4:38-39

After he left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simonโ€™s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her.… Read the rest