The Parable of the Sower Explained

โ€œThe Parable of the Sower Explainedโ€
Matthew 13:18-23 in a tercet
Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 13:18-23

โ€œHear then the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart.… Read the rest

Secrets of the Kingdom

โ€œSecrets of the Kingdomโ€
A reflection on Matthew 13:10-17
(cf. Luke 8:10; Mark 4:11-12)
Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 13:10-13

The disciples approached him and said, โ€œWhy do you speak to them in parables?โ€ย … Read the rest

Cosmic Tree

Photo of snail and crabapple blossoms with text overlay of the couplet reflecting on Matthew 13:31-32: "Birds of the nations flock to the Tree, / Soaring to heavenly unity!"
โ€œCosmic Treeโ€
A reflection on Matthew 13:31-32
Sunday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 13:31-32

He proposed another parable to them. โ€œThe kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field.ย … Read the rest

Crushed Like Grapes

Photo of snail and roses speaking the couplet about Mark 12:1-12, "On grapes, the Lord hired farmers to tread. / But his Son they crushed into wine and bread."
โ€œCrushed Like Grapesโ€
A reflection on Mark 12:1-12
Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

The beloved Son was crushed like grapes to become the wine that saves us.

The Parable of the Tenants

Gospel

Mark 12:1-12

He began to speak to them in parables.ย … Read the rest

Mysteries of Light

Photo of snail and leaf on a tree speaking the couplet about mysteries of light.
โ€œMysteries of Lightโ€
A reflection on Mark 4:21-23
Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

The mysteries of light burst forthโ€”hidden kingdom secrets now blaze openly through fearless disciples of Christ.

Jesus said to his disciples, โ€œIs a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For

… Read the rest

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€

… Read the rest

Heaven’s Nest

Photo of snail among autumn leaves with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Heaven's Nest."
โ€œHeavenโ€™s Nestโ€
A reflection on Luke 16:1-8
Friday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

How can we build a true heaven’s nest by sharing our wealth with those in need?

Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property.

… Read the rest

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.

… Read the rest