The Root of Jesse, Day 8

Photo of a snail and an insect speaking Isaiah 11:8 about the baby playing by the viper's den.
โ€œThe Root of Jesse, Day 8โ€
Isaiah 11:8
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

In the viperโ€™s den, perfect love reignsโ€”fear flees where Christ is victorious.

The baby shall play by the viperโ€™s den,
and the child lay his hand on the adderโ€™s lair.

… Read the rest

The Root of Jesse, Day 7

A photo of three snails on a mountain speaking Isaiah 11:7 about the cow and the bear grazing together.
โ€œThe Root of Jesse, Day 7โ€
Isaiah 11:7
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

When the cow and the bear graze as one, clean and unclean unite in Christโ€™s peace.

The cow and the bear shall graze,
together their young shall lie down;
the lion shall eat hay like the ox.

… Read the rest

The Farmer’s Patience

Photo of snail and crocus speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "The Farmer's Patience."
โ€œThe Farmerโ€™s Patienceโ€
A reflection on James 5:7-11
Third Sunday of Advent (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

The farmerโ€™s patience: Trusting Godโ€™s timing through drought and storm, awaiting the certain harvest of grace.

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.

… Read the rest

The Root of Jesse, Day 6

Two snails on a sedum speak Isaiah 11:6b about the peaceable kingdom of Christ.
โ€œThe Root of Jesse, Day 6โ€
Isaiah 11:6b
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

In the peaceable kingdom, a little child leads lion and lamb, restoring Edenโ€™s glory to humankind.

The calf and the young lion shall browse together,
with a little child to guide them.

… Read the rest

The Root of Jesse, Day 5

Photo of snail and sedum speaking Isaiah 11:6a about the Kingdom of Shalom.
โ€œThe Root of Jesse, Day 5โ€
Isaiah 11:6a
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

In the Kingdom of Shalom, wolf and lamb lie down togetherโ€”glimpsed today in saints who befriend the wild.

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat.

… Read the rest

The Root of Jesse, Day 4

Photo of snail and rose speaking Isaiah 11:5 about the justice and faithfulness of the Messiah: like Father, like Son.
โ€œThe Root of Jesse, Day 4โ€
Isaiah 11:5
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

The Messiah judges not by sight or rumor, but by the heartโ€”like Father, like Son.

Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide, 

But he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide fairly for the landโ€™s afflicted.

… Read the rest

The Root of Jesse, Day 3

Photo of snail and purple bellflowers with text overlay of the Isaiah 11:2-3 about the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
โ€œThe Root of Jesse, Day 3โ€
Isaiah 11:2b-3a
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

The Spirit rests upon the Root of Jesse, pouring out the gifts of the Holy Spirit: counsel, strength, knowledge, and fear of the Lord.

A spirit of counsel and of strength,
a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord,

and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.

… Read the rest

Yeshua at the Jordan River

Photo of snail and plant by a waterfall speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Yeshua at the Jordan River."
โ€œYeshua at the Jordan Riverโ€
A reflection on Matthew 3:1-12
Second Sunday of Advent (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Yeshua at the Jordan River: where Joshua, Elijah, and the Bridegroom converge to fulfill every ancient promise.

In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, โ€œRepent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!โ€ It

… Read the rest

The Root of Jesse, Day 2

Photo of snail and rosebud speaking Isaiah 11:2a, "The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding."
โ€œThe Root of Jesse, Day 2โ€
Isaiah 11:2a
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

True wisdom is not mere knowledgeโ€”it is the Spirit-given skill to discern, to craft, and to build what endures, from the tabernacle in the wilderness to the eternal house of God.… Read the rest