But Who Do You Say That I Am?

A snail and pear blossoms speak the Shalom Snail couplet, "But Who Do You Say That I Am?"
โ€œBut Who Do You Say That I Am?โ€
A reflection on Luke 9:18-22
Friday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Peterโ€™s confession of Christ shines as a pivotal moment in Luke 9:18-22, where he boldly declares Jesus as the Messiah amidst widespread speculation.… Read the rest

Herod’s Perplexity

Photo of snail and perennial pea speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Herod's Perplexity."
โ€œHerodโ€™s Perplexityโ€
Luke 9:7-9 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang


In Herodโ€™s Perplexity, rumors of Jesus as John, Elijah, or an ancient prophet fueled Herod’s fearful curiosity about the divine presence he could not destroy.… Read the rest

Penniless Preachers

Photo of snail and cherry blossoms speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Penniless Preachers."
โ€œPenniless Preachersโ€
A reflection on Luke 9:1-6
Wednesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

The Penniless Preachers, empowered by Jesus, spread the Gospel with nothing but faith, under the divine patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary.… Read the rest

The Tangled Human Mind

Photo of a snail climbing a coiled vine. The snail and vine speak to one another the poetic couplet reflecting on Isaiah 55:8-9: "The tangled human mind / Godโ€™s ways cannot unwind."
โ€œThe Tangled Human Mindโ€
A reflection on Isaiah 55:8-9
Sunday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

First Reading

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares theย Lord.… Read the rest

Prayer to the Sower

Photo of snail on a cherry tree speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Prayer to the Sower."
โ€œPrayer to the Sowerโ€
Luke 8:4-15 in a prayer couplet
Saturday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 8:4-15

When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to him, he spoke in a parable.… Read the rest

Holy Women Who Followed Jesus

โ€œHoly Women Who Followed Jesusโ€
A reflection on Luke 8:1-3 and Luke 7:31-35
Friday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 8:1-3

Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.… Read the rest

Tears of Love and Sorrow

Photo of a snail and dew drenched rose speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Tears of Love and Sorrow."
โ€œTears of Love and Sorrowโ€
Luke 7:36-50 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 7:36-50

A Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Phariseeโ€™s house and reclined at table.… Read the rest

Misfits for the Kingdom

Photo of snail on a cosmos with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Misfits for the Kingdom."
โ€œMisfits for the Kingdomโ€
A reflection on Luke 7:31-35
Wednesday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 7:31-35

โ€œThen to what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?ย They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,

โ€˜We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.… Read the rest