Faithful Friends

Photo of 3 snails on a hydrangea with text overlay of the couplet reflecting on Matthew 9:2: "The faith of friends, / Heaven's will bends."
โ€œFaithful Friendsโ€
A reflection on Matthew 9:2
Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 (revised in 2024) Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 9:1-8

He entered a boat, made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.… Read the rest

Swine or Souls: A Gadarene Lesson

โ€œSwine or Souls: A Gadarene Lessonโ€
A reflection on Matthew 8:28-34
Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 8:28-34

When he came to the other side, to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him.… Read the rest

Christ the King of the Cosmos

Photo of snail and magnolia speaking the couplet reflecting on Matthew 8:23-27: "Christ the King of the cosmos / Stills the seas of the seismos."
โ€œChrist the King of the Cosmosโ€
A reflection on Matthew 8:23-27
Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 8:23-27

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him.ย Suddenly a violent stormย came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep.ย … Read the rest

Saints Peter and Paul: Nets in the Holy Sea

Two snails atop a rock overlooking a waterfall reflect on Saints Peter and Paul: "A fisherman and a Pharisee / Netted the world in the holy sea!"
โ€œSaints Peter and Paul: Nets in the Holy Seaโ€
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedeeโ€™s sons, and two others of his disciples.

Read the rest

Unbreakable Bonds

Photo of snail and red bleeding hearts with text overlay of the couplet reflecting on Matthew 10:37: "Tribal ties are externally woven; / Trinitarian bonds cannot be broken."
โ€œUnbreakable Bondsโ€
A reflection on Matthew 10:37
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 10:37

Jesus said to his apostles: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.โ€… Read the rest

The Cleansing of a Leper

Photo of snail and iris speaking the couplet from Matthew 8:1-4, "A leper leapt in faith. 'Be made clean,' Jesus saith."
โ€œThe Cleansing of a Leperโ€
Matthew 8:1-4 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 8:1-4

When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, โ€œLord, if you wish, you can make me clean.โ€… Read the rest

The Golden Rule

Photo of snail and tulips speaking Matthew 7:12, "Do to others what you want them to do to you.
This is the Law and the Prophets.
Adieu!"
โ€œThe Golden Ruleโ€
Matthew 7:12 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your own people.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

Read the rest

Stop Judging

Photo of snail and tulips speaking the couplet on Matthew 7:1-5, "A wooden beam in the eye, / Neighbors' splinters magnify."
โ€œStop Judgingโ€
A reflection on Matthew 7:1-5
Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

โ€œStop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.

Read the rest