Beloved Shepherd

Photo of snail and daffodil behind a fence post with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet about the Beloved Shepherd.
โ€œBeloved Shepherdโ€
A reflection on John 10:1-10
Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

In the Shepherdโ€™s voice, lost sheep find their nameโ€”and abundant life.

Gospel

John 10:1-10

โ€œAmen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But… Read the rest

Saint Mark, Evangelist

Photo of snail and daffodils speaking the Shalom Snail couplet for the Feast of Saint Mark.
โ€œSaint Markโ€
A reflection on St. Mark in tradition, Revelation 4:7, Ezekiel 1:10
Feast of Saint Mark
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

The Evangelists and the Four Living Creatures

Since the time of the early church, the Fathers associated Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John with the four โ€œliving creaturesโ€ in Revelation 4:7:

The first creature resembled a lion, the second was like a calf, the third had a face like that of a human being, and the fourth looked like an eagleย in flight.

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Medicine of Immortality

Photo of a snail and a candytuft flower speaking John 6:57: "The one who eats me will live because of me."
โ€œMedicine of Immortalityโ€
John 6:57
Friday of the Third Week of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang


Come together in common one and all without exception in charity, in one faith and in one Jesus Christ, who is of the race of David according to the flesh, the Son of man and Son of God โ€ฆ and break one bread, which is the medicine of immortality and the antidote against death, enabling us to live forever in Jesus Christ.

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Living Bread

A snail and a magnolia speak John 6:51: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever."
โ€œLiving Breadโ€
John 6:51
Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.

John 6:51

I am the living bread that came down from heaven.

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My Father’s Will

A snail and pear blossoms speak John 6:38: "I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me."
โ€œMy Fatherโ€™s Willโ€
John 6:38
Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.โ€

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Bread of Life

Photo of a snail and a tulip speaking John 6:35: "I AM the Bread of Life."
โ€œBread of Lifeโ€
John 6:35
From the Gospel at Mass
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

โ€œI am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.โ€

John 6:35

I AM the Bread of Life.

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My Shalom

A snail and camellia flowers speak John 14:27: "Shalom I leave with you; my shalom I give to you. Alleluia!"
โ€œMy Shalomโ€
John 14:27 from the Communion Antiphon
Monday of the Third Week of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my nameโ€”he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.

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Word and Bread

Photo of three orange tulips with text overlay of the last four lines of the poem, "Word and Bread."
โ€œWord and Breadโ€
A poem on Luke 24:13-35
Third Sunday of Easter (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

In receiving the Word and Bread, eyes open and hearts burn with resurrection hope.

Gospel

Luke 24:13-35

Now that very day two of them were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And… Read the rest

Fear Not!

Photo of baby snail on an adult snail walking on rocks above a waterfall. They speak to one another, "In the stormy sea, trust in the Lord, who says, I AM. Fear not!"
โ€œFear Not!โ€
A reflection on John 6:16-21
Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

John 6:16-21

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea,ย got into a boat, and started across the sea to Caperโ€ฒna-um.… Read the rest

One Thing I Seek

A snail and a Lenten rose speak Psalm 27:4: "One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord."
โ€œOne Thing I Seekโ€
From the Responsorial Psalm, adapted from 27:4
Friday of the Second Week of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

One thing I ask of the Lord;
this I seek:
To dwell in the Lordโ€™s house
all the days of my life,
To gaze on the Lordโ€™s beauty,
to visit his temple.

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