Heaven’s Oil

Photo of snail on an autumn leaf with text overlay of the reflection on Matthew 25:1-13: "Heavenโ€™s oil burns, / As the world turns."
โ€œHeavenโ€™s Oilโ€
A reflection on Matthew 25:1-13
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

… Read the rest

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Photo of a baby snail and adult snail on a hydrangea speaking the reflection on Luke 15:1-7: "Thank you, Jesus, for finding me. / Ninety-nine will rejoice with thee."
โ€œThe Parable of the Lost Sheepโ€
Luke 15:1-7 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

What does the Parable of the Lost Sheep reveal about the boundless love and mercy of Jesus for every single person?… Read the rest

Israel’s Universal Banquet

Photo of snail and wild flowers with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 14:15-24: "Welcoming strangers from streets and alleys, / God feeds the world from Israelโ€™s valleys."
โ€œIsraelโ€™s Universal Banquetโ€
A reflection on Luke 14:15-24
Tuesday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2024 Gloria M. Chang

How does Israel’s universal banquet invite everyone to God’s table of grace?

Gospel

Luke 14:15-24

One of those at table with Jesus said to him, โ€œBlessed is the one who will dine in the kingdom of God.โ€… Read the rest

Friend, Go Up Higher

Photo of snail and dianthus chinensis speaking the reflection on Luke 14:7-11: "Seeds that descend into the humus / Ascend again a flowโ€™ring chorus."
โ€œFriend, Go Up Higherโ€
Luke 14:7-11 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 14:1, 7-11

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.ย … Read the rest

The Parable of the Yeast

Photo of snail and hydrangea paniculata with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 13:20-21: "The kingdom, like yeast, rises and expands / In flour which a woman kneads with her hands."
โ€œThe Parable of the Yeastโ€
Luke 13:20-21 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 13:20-21

Again he said, โ€œTo what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.โ€… Read the rest

Faithful Stewards in the Vineyard of the Lord

Photo of snail and dahlias with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Faithful Stewards in the Vineyard of the Lord."
โ€œFaithful Stewards in the Vineyard of the Lordโ€
A reflection on Luke 12:39-48
Wednesday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Are we faithful stewards, tending the Lordโ€™s vineyard with love?

Gospel

Luke 12:39-48

Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.… Read the rest

Sleepless Sentinels

Photo of snail and weeping Japanese pagoda with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Sleepless Sentinels."
โ€œSleepless Sentinelsโ€
Luke 12:35-38 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Tuesday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Are you ready to stand as sleepless sentinels, vigilant for the Master’s return?

Gospel

Luke 12:35-38

โ€œGird your loins and light your lampsand be like servants who await their masterโ€™s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.… Read the rest

The King’s Invitation

Photo of a snail among celosia argentea. They speak the reflection on Matthew 22:1-14: "Farmers and traders rejected the King, / Preferring the plow to princely feasting."
โ€œThe Kingโ€™s Invitationโ€
A reflection on Matthew 22:1-14
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.

… Read the rest

Beelzebul: A Pejorative Pun?

โ€œBeelzebul: A Pejorative Pun?โ€
A reflection on Matthew 12:22-29, Mark 3:22-27, Luke 11:14-23
ยฉ๏ธ2024 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 12:26-28

And if Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself; how, then, will his kingdom stand?ย And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own peopleย drive them out?… Read the rest

The Parable of the Midnight Guest

Photo of snail and New Guinea impatiens with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "The Parable of the Midnight Guest."
โ€œThe Parable of the Midnight Guestโ€
A reflection on Luke 11:5-13
Thursday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

The Parable of the Midnight Guest reveals Jesusโ€™ powerful message about Godโ€™s boundless hospitality, urging us to trust boldly in his divine provision.… Read the rest