To Save Life or to Destroy It?

Photo of snail on purple coneflower with text overlay of reflection on Luke 6:6-11: "When heart and mind are out of whack, / 
Doubts plague whether to heal or wrack."
โ€œTo Save Life or to Destroy It?โ€
Luke 6:6-11 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Monday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 6:6-11

On another sabbath he went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.… 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

The Girl is Not Dead But Sleeping

Photo of snail amid irises with text overlay of the couplet, "As mourners and musicians wailed for the dead, / Jesus raised the little girl out of bed."
โ€œThe Girl is Not Dead But Sleepingโ€
Matthew 9:23-25 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26

While he was saying these things to them, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, โ€œMy daughter has just died.… Read the rest

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