Whose Inscription?

Photo of a snail on a pineapple sage. They speak the reflection on Matthew 22:15-21: "Caesarโ€™s inscription seals his property; / Godโ€™s inscription seals his progeny."
โ€œWhose Inscription?โ€
A reflection on Matthew 22:15-21, Luke 3:38, Acts 17:29
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 22:15-21

The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.… Read the rest

Whom Should You Fear?

A photo of a snail snail and verbena flowers with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 12:4-5: "When a garden of paradise blooms within, / Little flowโ€™rs fear not the Gehenna of sin."
โ€œWhom Should You Fear?โ€
A reflection on Luke 12:4-5
Friday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Who truly holds power over your soulโ€”earthly threats or the One who judges for eternity?

Gospel

Luke 12:4-5

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more.… Read the rest

From Abel to Zechariah

Photo of a snail and purple coneflowers with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 11:47-54: "Godโ€™s prophets lie dead in the ground, / Their messages trampled, / Their tombstones renowned."
โ€œFrom Abel to Zechariahโ€
Luke 11:47-54 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

How does the blood of Abel to Zechariah lead us back to God to accept the redemption offered by Christ?… Read the rest

Christ Sets Hearts Loose

Photo of a snail on a purple coneflower with curled petals. The snail and coneflower speak the poetic reflection on Luke 11:45-46: "With legal knots, lawyers bind the noose. / With his humble yoke, Christ sets hearts loose."
โ€œChrist Sets Hearts Looseโ€
Luke 11:45-46 and Matthew 11:28-30 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
ยฉ๏ธ2024 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 11:45-46

Then one of the scholars of the lawย said to him in reply, โ€œTeacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.โ€… Read the rest

Hey, Wazzup?

Photo of snail and Japanese holly speaking the Shalom Snail couplet about purity of heart, "Hey, Wazzup?" "A clean cup!"
Purity is within.
โ€œHey, Wazzup?โ€
Luke 11:37-41 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Tuesday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Purity of heart involves cleansing the inner self through heartfelt almsgiving, not just performing superficial rituals.

Gospel

Luke 11:37-41 (ESV)

While Jesusย was speaking,ย a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table.… Read the rest

True Blessedness

Photo of snail and autumn crocus with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "True Blessedness."
โ€œTrue Blessednessโ€
Luke 11:27-28 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Saturday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

True blessedness lies in hearing and keeping Godโ€™s word, as exemplified by the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Gospel

Luke 11:27-28 (RSVCE)

As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, โ€œBlessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!โ€ย … Read the rest

The Parable of the Midnight Guest

Photo of snail and New Guinea impatiens with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "The Parable of the Midnight Guest."
โ€œThe Parable of the Midnight Guestโ€
A reflection on Luke 11:5-13
Thursday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

The Parable of the Midnight Guest reveals Jesusโ€™ powerful message about Godโ€™s boundless hospitality, urging us to trust boldly in his divine provision.… Read the rest

Martha and Mary

โ€œMartha and Maryโ€
Luke 10:38-42 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Tuesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 10:38-42

As they continued their journey he entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.… Read the rest