Israel’s Universal Banquet

Photo of snail and wild flowers with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Israel's Universal Banquet."
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?

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

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The Narrow Door

Photo of snail and fern speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "The Narrow Door."
โ€œThe Narrow Doorโ€
Luke 13:22-30 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

What is the narrow door that leads to eternal flourishing?

He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.

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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?

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.

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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?

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.

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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

Mercy is Universal

Photo of a snail and cosmos speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Mercy is Universal."
โ€œMercy is Universalโ€
A reflection on Luke 10:25-37
Monday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Mercy is universal, transcending all boundaries as shown by the Samaritan’s compassionate aid to a stranger in Jesus’ parable.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, โ€œTeacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?โ€

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The Parable of the Lamp

Photo of snail and dahlia speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "The Parable of the Lamp."
โ€œThe Parable of the Lampโ€
A reflection on Luke 8:16-18
Monday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang


The Parable of the Lamp reveals how an evangelist, ignited by Christโ€™s Spirit, shines Godโ€™s Light to illuminate the world.… Read the rest

The Shrewd Steward and Zacchaeus

Photo of snail and marigold speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "The Shrewd Steward and Zacchaeus."
โ€œThe Shrewd Steward and Zacchaeusโ€
A reflection on Luke 16:1-13; 19:1-10
Sunday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang
Revised in 2025


The Shrewd Steward and Zacchaeus teach us to transform worldly wealth into charity for eternal life in Luke 16:1-13 and 19:1-10.… Read the rest