Faithful Friends

Photo of 3 snails on a hydrangea with text overlay of the couplet reflecting on Matthew 9:2: "The faith of friends, / Heaven's will bends."
โ€œFaithful Friendsโ€
A reflection on Matthew 9:2
Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 (revised in 2024) Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 9:1-8

He entered a boat, made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.… Read the rest

Swine or Souls: A Gadarene Lesson

โ€œSwine or Souls: A Gadarene Lessonโ€
A reflection on Matthew 8:28-34
Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 8:28-34

When he came to the other side, to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him.… Read the rest

The Cleansing of a Leper

Photo of snail and iris speaking the couplet from Matthew 8:1-4, "A leper leapt in faith. 'Be made clean,' Jesus saith."
โ€œThe Cleansing of a Leperโ€
Matthew 8:1-4 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 8:1-4

When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, โ€œLord, if you wish, you can make me clean.โ€… Read the rest

Blind Bartimaeus


โ€œBlind Bartimaeusโ€
Mark 10:46-52 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Blind Bartimaeus cried out in faithโ€”and Jesus opened his eyes.

Gospel

Mark 10:46-52

They came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging.… Read the rest

Once Blind, Now Brave

โ€œOnce Blind, Now Braveโ€
A reflection on John 9:1-41
Fourth Sunday of Lent (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

A man born blind receives sight and boldly declares: “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.โ€

Gospel

John 9:1-41 (RSV)

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth.… Read the rest

The Sigh of Christ

Photo of snail and dahlia speaking the couplet, "The Sigh of Christ."
โ€œThe Sigh of Christโ€
A reflection on Mark 7:34 and Mark 8:11-13
Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Discover the profound sigh of Christ: healing the deaf, grieving the faithless Pharisees’ hardened hearts.

Gospel

Mark 7:32-35

And people brought to Jesus a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him.ย … Read the rest

Ephphatha!

Photo of snail and dahlia bud speaking the couplet, "Ephphatha!" about Jesus healing the deaf-mute man in Mark 7.
โ€œEphphatha!โ€
A reflection on Mark 7:31-37
Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

In Mark 7, Jesus heals the deaf mute, commanding โ€œEphphatha!โ€ to open ears and loosen tongues in divine mercy.

Gospel

Mark 7:31-37

Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And… Read the rest

The Hound of Heaven and the Puppies

Photo of snail and crabapple blossoms with text overlay of the couplet, "The Hound of Heaven and the Puppies."
โ€œThe Hound of Heaven and the Puppiesโ€
A reflection on Mark 7:24-30
Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

A desperate mother’s wit turns “dogs” into cherished puppies, feasting on the Hound of Heaven’s mercy.

Gospel

Mark 7:24-30

Jesus went to the district of Tyre.ย … Read the rest

The Tassels of Christ

Photo of snail and pansies with text overlay of couplet, "The Tassels of Christ."
โ€œThe Tassels of Christโ€
A reflection on Mark 6:53-56
Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Touch the tassels of Christโ€”where fidelity to God blossoms into tangible healing and divine grace.

After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As

Read the rest