The Bridegroom and His Guests

Photo of snail amid cleome hassleriana with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 5:33-39: "The Bridegroom has come, bringing new cloth and wine. / 
The guests of the bridechamber must drink and dine."
โ€œThe Bridegroom and His Guestsโ€
Luke 5:33-39 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Friday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 5:33-39

And they said to him, โ€œThe disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.โ€… Read the rest

The Cure of Simon’s Mother-in-Law

Photo of snail and periwinkle with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 4:38-39: "Simonโ€™s mother-in-law was down with a fever. / 
Cured by the Word, she sprang up as housekeeper."
โ€œThe Cure of Simonโ€™s Mother-in-Lawโ€
Luke 4:38-39 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 4:38-39

After he left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simonโ€™s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her.… Read the rest

What Word Is This?

Photo of snail and blue mistflower speaking the Shalom Snail couplet.
โ€œWhat Word is This?โ€
Luke 4:31-37 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Tuesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 4:31-37

Jesus then went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority.… Read the rest

A Prophet for All Nations

Photo of snail and black-eyed susans speaking the reflection on Luke 4:16-30: "Israelโ€™s prophets blessed Sidon and Syria. /
Disturbing truth drove hearers to hysteria."
โ€œA Prophet for All Nationsโ€
Luke 4:16-30 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Monday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 4:16-30

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day.… Read the rest

Filled With God

Photo of a snail and a zinnia speaking a reflection on Romans 12:1-2: "While ages ebb and flow, God fills the mind/ And body, deifying humankind."
โ€œFilled With Godโ€
A reflection on Romans 12:1-2
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Second Reading

Romans 12:1-2

I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.ย … Read the rest

The Passion of Saint John the Baptist

Photo of snail and begonias speaking the Shalom Snail couplet.
โ€œThe Passion of Saint John the Baptistโ€
A reflection on Mark 6:17-29
Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Mark 6:17-29

Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.ย … Read the rest

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

โ€œThe Parable of the Ten Virginsโ€
A reflection on Matthew 25:1-13 and Song of Solomon 5:2
Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 25:1-13

โ€œThen the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.… Read the rest

The Divine Thief

Photo of a snail on a hydrangea leaf with text overlay of the reflection on Matthew 24:42-44: "Awake! Christ will come like a thief in the night. / Be prepared with hearts merciful and contrite."
โ€œThe Divine Thiefโ€โ€จ
A reflection on Matthew 24:42-44 and Isaiah 57:15
Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang
Matthew 24:42-44

Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.… Read the rest

Whitewashed Tombs

Photo of snail and whiteswan coneflowers speaking the reflection on Matthew 23:27-32: "Whitewashed tombs full of dead men's bones! / Change your heart, for the whole earth groans."
โ€œWhitewashed Tombsโ€
A reflection on Matthew 23:27-32 and Romans 8:19-23
Wednesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 23:27-32

โ€œWoe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead menโ€™s bones and every kind of filth.ย … Read the rest