Yeshua at the Jordan River

Photo of snail and plant by a waterfall speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Yeshua at the Jordan River."
โ€œYeshua at the Jordan Riverโ€
A reflection on Matthew 3:1-12
Second Sunday of Advent (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Yeshua at the Jordan River: where Joshua, Elijah, and the Bridegroom converge to fulfill every ancient promise.

In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, โ€œRepent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!โ€ It

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A Blind Beggar Glorifies God

Photo of snail and dahlia speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "A Blind Beggar Glorifies God."
โ€œA Blind Beggar Glorifies Godโ€
A reflection on Luke 18:35-43
Monday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

What can we learn from a blind beggar who glorifies God through persistent faith amid rejection?

As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They

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Spiritual Dropsy

Photo of snail and celosia argentea speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Spiritual Dropsy."
โ€œSpiritual Dropsyโ€
A reflection on Luke 14:1-6
Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

How does the healing of spiritual dropsy reveal the tension between divine mercy and human pride in Jesusโ€™ encounter with the Pharisees?… Read the rest

Set Free on the Sabbath

Photo of snail and autumn crocuses speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Set Free on the Sabbath."
โ€œSet Free on the Sabbathโ€ Luke 13:10-17 โ€œin a snailshellโ€ Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

How does Jesusโ€™ healing of the crippled woman reveal what it truly means to be set free on the Sabbath?… Read the rest

The Cross and the Copper Serpent

Photo of snail and pink turtlehead speaking the Shalom Snail poem, "The Cross and the Copper Serpent."
โ€œThe Cross and the Copper Serpentโ€
A reflection on Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:13-17
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

First Reading

From Mount Hor they set out by way of the Red Sea, to bypass the land of Edom, but the peopleโ€™s patience was worn out by the journey; so the people complained against God and Moses, โ€œWhy have you brought us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness, where there is no food or water?

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The Cure of Simon’s Mother-in-Law

Photo of snail and periwinkle with the Shalom Snail couplet printed beneath.
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

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.

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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

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.

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Lent, Day 27

โ€œLent, Day 27โ€
Psalm 34:18 (19)
From the Responsorial Psalm
Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

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If You Can!

Faith, Shalom Snail
โ€œIf You Can!โ€
A reflection on Mark 9:23-24 and Luke 1:37
Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Jesus said to him, โ€œโ€˜If you can!โ€™ Everything is possible to one who has faith.โ€ Then the boyโ€™s father cried out, โ€œI do believe, help my unbelief!โ€

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