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

True Blessedness

Photo of snail and autumn crocus with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "True Blessedness."
โ€œTrue Blessednessโ€
Luke 11:27-28 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Saturday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

True blessedness lies in hearing and keeping Godโ€™s word, as exemplified by the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Gospel

Luke 11:27-28 (RSVCE)

As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, โ€œBlessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!โ€ย … 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

Contemplating the Face of Christ With Mary

Photo of snail and roses with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Contemplating the Face of Christ with Mary."
โ€œContemplating the Face of Christ with Maryโ€
Our Lady of the Rosary
A reflection on Rosarium Virginis Mariae (1), Apostolic Letter of St. Pope John Paul II
ยฉ๏ธ2024 Gloria M. Chang

The Rosary: A Christocentric Prayer

The Rosary of the Virgin Mary, which gradually took form in the second millennium under the guidance of the Spirit of God, is a prayer loved by countless Saints and encouraged by the Magisterium.… Read the rest

Martha and Mary

โ€œMartha and Maryโ€
Luke 10:38-42 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Tuesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 10:38-42

As they continued their journey he entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.… 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

Luke 10:25-37

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€… Read the rest

Who is the Heir?

โ€œWho is the Heir?โ€
A reflection on Isaiah 5:1-7 and Matthew 21:33-43
Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

First Reading

Isaiah 5:7

The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel,
and the people of Judah are his cherished plant;
he looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed!… Read the rest

Treading on Serpents

Photo of snail and cardoon with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Treading on Serpents."
โ€œTreading on Serpentsโ€
A reflection on Luke 10:17-20; Genesis 3:15; Romans 8:16-17
Saturday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Christ empowers his followers with divine authority, treading on serpents and overcoming evil, as heirs with him in the victory of the Cross.… Read the rest

Prayer to My Guardian Angel

Photo of snail and verbena speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Prayer to My Guardian Angel."
โ€œPrayer to My Guardian Angelโ€ (abridged)
Matthew 18:1-5, 10
Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

In the Prayer to My Guardian Angel, we seek divine guidance and protection, reflecting the childlike humility and faith Jesus teaches in Matthew 18.… Read the rest