One, Two, Three… Return to Trinity!

Photo of snail on a zinnia under a cloudy sky with text overlay of the reflection on Matthew 19:3-12: "In the beginning when all was one, / Adam was breathed through the Word, God's Son."
โ€œOne, two, threeโ€ฆ Return to Trinity!โ€
A reflection on Matthew 19:3-12
Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 19:3-12

Some Pharisees approached him, and tested him, saying, โ€œIs it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?โ€… Read the rest

Seventy-Seven Times Forgive

Photo of snail on a goldenrain tree. speaking the Shalom Snail couplet.
โ€œSeventy-Seven Times Forgiveโ€
Matthew 18:21-35 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 18:21-35

Then Peter approaching asked him, โ€œLord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?… Read the rest

Between You and Him Alone

Two snails amid roses speaking humorously to illustrate the point of Matthew 18:15-20. The first snail says, "Shallom my friend! I've noticed you've slowed to a crawl." The second snail responds, "Thanks for telling me sub rosa and not before all."
โ€œBetween You and Him Aloneโ€
Mathew 18:15-20 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

โ€œIf your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.

Read the rest

The Good Shepherd

Photo of a baby snail on the back of an adult snail walking on a hydrangea with text overlay of the reflection on Matthew 18:12-14: "Little Lamb, lay on my shoulder / As we cross o'er barbs and boulder."
โ€œThe Good Shepherdโ€
Matthew 18:12-14 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 18:12-14

What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?ย … Read the rest

Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

Photo of snail and wheatlike grass with text overlay of the couplet reflecting on John 12:24-26: "Life dormant in a grain of wheat / Won't waken til it's broken seed."
โ€œUnless a grain of wheatโ€
John 12:24-26 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

John 12:24-26

Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.… Read the rest

The Olive Tree of God

Photo of a snail on a pink zinnia speaking the poetic reflection on Romans 9:1-5: "The Root shall gather its branches someday, / Uniting Jews and Gentiles in Love's Way."
โ€œThe Olive Tree of Godโ€
A reflection on Romans 9:1-5; 11:23-24
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Romans 9:1-5 (ESV)

I am speaking the truth in Christโ€”I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spiritโ€”that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.… Read the rest

A Mustard Seed of Faith

Photo of a snail on a blue mistflower speaking the couplet reflecting on Matthew 17:14-20: "With a mustard seed of faith and trust, Mountains move and demons bust."
โ€œA Mustard Seed of Faithโ€
Matthew 17:14-20 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Saturday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 17:14-20

When they came to the crowd a man approached, knelt down before him, and said, โ€œLord, have pity on my son, for he is a lunatic and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often into water.… Read the rest

In His Father’s Glory

โ€œIn His Fatherโ€™s Gloryโ€
A reflection on Matthew 16:27
Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 16:24-28

Jesus said to his disciples, โ€œWhoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.… Read the rest

Transfigured in Light

Photo of snail and roses against a bright, white background with text overlay of the poetic reflection on Matthew 17:1-9 and Exodus 34:29: "Transfigured in light and set ablaze, Jesus the new Moses, sent out rays."
โ€œTransfigured in Lightโ€
A reflection on Matthew 17:1-9 and Exodus 34:29
Solemnity of the Transfiguration of the Lord (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 17:1-9

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.… Read the rest

The Dogged Faith of a Canaanite

Photo of snail in a crabapple blossom tree with text overlay of the reflection on Matthew 15:21-28: "The dogged faith of a Canaanite / Obtained the feast of the Israelite."
โ€œThe Dogged Faith of a Canaaniteโ€
Matthew 15:21-28 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 15:21-28

Then Jesus went from that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.… Read the rest