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

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Nothing New in Nazareth

Nothing New in Nazareth, Shalom Snail
โ€œNothing New in Nazarethโ€
A reflection on Mark 6:1-6
Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2023 Gloria M. Chang

In Nazareth, familiarity bred contemptโ€”nothing new in Nazareth.

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.

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Jairus, Do Not Grieve

Photo of snail and iris speaking the couplet, "Jairus, Do Not Grieve."
โ€œJairus, Do Not Grieveโ€
Mark 5:36 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Jairus, do not grieveโ€”Jesus stands beside you, turning mourning into miracle.

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One

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Christ Binds the Strong Man

Photo of snail and tulips speaking the couplet, "Christ Binds the Strong Man."
โ€œChrist Binds the Strong Manโ€
A reflection on Mark 3:22-30
Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Christ binds the strong man, breaking Satan’s hold to plunder his house and free God’s children.

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, โ€œHe is possessed by Beelzebul,โ€ and โ€œBy the prince of demons he drives out demons.โ€

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You Are the Son of God

You are the Son of God, Shalom Snail
โ€œYou are the Son of Godโ€
A reflection on Mark 3:7-12
Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Even demons confess: โ€œYou are the Son of Godโ€โ€”yet still refuse to love him.

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.

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Shabbat Shalom

Photo of snail and tulip speaking the couplet, "Shabbat Shalom."
โ€œShabbat Shalomโ€
A reflection on Mark 3:1-6
Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Shabbat Shalom: Jesus heals a man with the withered hand, revealing the Sabbath as a day of wholeness and restoration.

Again he entered the synagogue.

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The Healing of a Paralytic

Photo of snail and pink turtlehead speaking the couplet about the healing of a paralytic.
โ€œThe Healing of a Paralyticโ€
Mark 2:1-12 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Through bold faith, friends lower a paralytic to Jesus, revealing His divine authority in the healing of a paralyticโ€”body and soul.… Read the rest

Jesus Touches a Leper

Photo of snail and rosehip speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Jesus Touches a Leper."
โ€œJesus Touches a Leperโ€
A reflection on Mark 1:40-45
Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, โ€œIf you wish, you can make me clean.โ€ Moved

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Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Shalom Snail
โ€œOur Lady of Guadalupeโ€
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

In December’s dawn, Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego, painting heaven’s love on his tilma forever.

Nican Mopohua (โ€œHere It is Toldโ€)

From a report by Don Antonio Valeriano, a Native American author of the sixteenth century (Liturgy of the Hours translation)

At daybreak one Saturday morning in 1531, on the very first days of the month of December, an Indian named Juan Diego was going from the village where he lived to Tlatelolco in order to take part in divine worship and listen to God’s commandments.… Read the rest