Journey to Wholeness
… Read the restThen children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray.
… Read the restSome Pharisees approached him, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?”
… Read the restThen Peter approaching asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?”
… Read the restAmen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
… Read the restWhat is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?
… Read the restWhen they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
… Read the rest“Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Yerushalaim is the transliteration of Jerusalem. Click phonetics for the pronunciation of Yerushalaim.
… Read the restJesus took Peter, John, and James and went up a mountain to pray.
… Read the restJesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
… Read the restWhen Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
… Read the restThen Jesus went from that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!
… Read the restThen he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
… Read the restWhen Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.
… Read the restSomeone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?”
… Read the restAt that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist.
… Read the restAnd many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home.
… Read the restAgain, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When
… Read the restThe kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
… Read the restThen, dismissing the crowds, he went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
… Read the restAnd he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed.
… Read the restHe proposed another parable to them. “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field.
… Read the restOn the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
… Read the restThe disciples approached him and said, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” He
… Read the restOn that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore.
… Read the restThen some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
… Read the restNow I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church, of which I am a minister in accordance with God’s stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.
… Read the restBut the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him to put him to death.
When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place.
The Father’s “house of bread” includes the tabernacle (where David fled in Nob), the cosmic tabernacle containing wheat (the Sabbath crowns creation on the seventh day in Genesis), and Jesus himself (the “bread of life” born in Bethlehem which means “house of bread”).… Read the rest
… Read the rest“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
… Read the restAt that time Jesus said in reply, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.
… Read the restThen he began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented.
pneuma: spirit
soma: body, flesh
pleroma: fullness, completion
… Read the restHe is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
… Read the restAre not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.
… Read the restBut beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.
… Read the restAs you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.
… Read the restThen he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.
… Read the restJesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness.
… Read the restWhile he was saying these things to them, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died.
… Read the restThe seventy[-two] returned rejoicing, and said, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold,
… Read the rest“No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse.
… Read the restAs Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.”
… Read the restHe entered a boat, made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
… Read the restAfter this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples.
… Read the restAs Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They
… Read the restElijah set out, and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth.
… Read the restAnd he said to them, “Why were you looking for me?
… Read the restTake my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.
… Read the restWhen the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son.
… Read the rest“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By
… Read the rest“Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.
… Read the restBut Israel I will feed with the finest wheat,
I will satisfy them with honey from the rock.”
… Read the rest“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear.
… Read the restDo not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But
“The Lord’s Prayer” (5 panels)
Matthew 6:9-13
Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
©️2021 by Gloria M. Chang… Read the rest
… Read the rest“But take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
“Love of Enemies” (3 panels)
Matthew 5:43-48 in a quatrain
Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
©️2021 by Gloria M. Chang
… Read the restYou have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For
… Read the restYou have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.
One of the best-loved characteristics of St. Barnabas is his gift of drawing out the God-given potential in others. Named Joseph at birth, the Levite from Cyprus became known as “Barnabas,” which means “son of encouragement” or “son of consolation” (Acts 4:36). … Read the rest
The God of Moses on Mount Sinai revealed himself in thunder, lightning, smoke, and fire (Exodus 19:16-18).… Read the rest
… Read the restTherefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
… Read the restDo not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
… Read the restYou are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
“Pentecost” (2 panels)
A reflection on Acts 2:1-4
Pentecost Sunday
©️2021 by Gloria M. Chang
… Read the restWhen the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.
The city of monolithic brick
Recedes before the mountain mystic.
… Read the restThe whole world had the same language and the same words.
… Read the restThe whole world had the same language and the same words. When they were migrating from the east, they came to a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there. They
“Easter, Day 49″ (2 panels)
A reflection on John 21:25
Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
©️2021 by Gloria M. Chang
… Read the restIt is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There
Peter thrice vowed, “I love thee.”
Jesus made a Shepherd’s plea:
“Feed my lambs and follow me.”
… Read the restWhen they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He
…your all-powerful word leapt from heaven, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed…
Wisdom 18:15 (New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised)
… Read the restDuring those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. … Read the rest
… Read the rest“I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And
When a child is begotten
Past travails are forgotten.
… Read the restAmen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When
Paraklétos is variously translated as Paraclete, Advocate, Intercessor, Consoler, Comforter, Helper, Strengthener, Standby, and Counselor. Paraclete, the Anglicized form of the Greek word, is used here to represent all possible translations.… Read the rest
Yerushalaim is the transliteration of Jerusalem. Click phonetics for the pronunciation of Yerushalaim.
… Read the restHe took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It
“Easter, Day 35”
Responsorial Psalm 100:3 (2 panels)
Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter
©️2021 by Gloria M. Chang… Read the rest
… Read the restThen I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I
This reflection is based on the Greek translation of the words of Christ in John 6:20.… Read the rest
Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
John 6:16-21
Darkness, turbulent waters, and a mighty wind threatened to capsize the disciples into the whirling vortex of chaos. The image recalls the antediluvian waters at the dawn of creation.… Read the rest
Since the time of the early Church Fathers, the Four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, have been associated with the four “living creatures” in Revelation 4:7:
… Read the restThe first creature resembled a lion, the second was like a calf, the third had a face like that of a human being, and the fourth looked like an eagle in flight.
Click the Shalom Snail Home Page to see this photo in action (only available in desktop view), or click the photo itself (mobile and tablet views).… Read the rest
Holy Saturday
Earth received a new and incorruptible seed in her womb when Jesus was laid to rest, wrapped in cloths as in a manger, and perfumed with myrrh, as the Magi anticipated.… Read the rest
Good Friday
John 18-19
There is no greater proof that Jesus is the Son of God than his love for his enemies. In the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus was arrested, Peter’s swift reaction in cutting off the right ear of the high priest’s slave captured the all-too-human impulse toward retaliation.… Read the rest
… Read the restBefore the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The
… Read the restAmen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” So the Jews said to him, “Now we are sure that you are possessed.
Fifth Week of Lent, Wednesday
Daniel 3
Iconic images and words in the Bible interconnect to form a constellation that radiates to the “edges” of infinity. The episode of the three Jews thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image summons iconic connections from Genesis to Revelation.… Read the rest
The new Moses wrote with the finger of God
A New Law in dust by the Spirit of God.… Read the rest
Pommeled by the wind,
Supple beings bend and bloom,
Trained for tribulation.… Read the rest
Fourth Week of Lent, Thursday
Exodus 32:7-14; John 5:31-47
… Read the restHe was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me… For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me.
… Read the restSee, I am creating new heavens
and a new earth;
The former things shall not be remembered
nor come to mind.
Fourth Week of Lent, Monday
John 4:43-54
Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine.
John 4:46
The Gospel of John calls special attention to Cana, the location of the first and second “signs” (sémeion) revealing Jesus as the Messiah to Israel.… Read the rest
… Read the restTax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
… Read the restNow if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, was so glorious that the Israelites could not look intently at the face of Moses because of its glory that was going to fade, how much more will the ministry of the Spirit be glorious? For
Third Week of Lent, Thursday
Luke 11:14-23
… Read the restHe was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute person spoke and the crowds were amazed.
Third Week of Lent, Wednesday
Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Matthew 5:17-19
… Read the restNow therefore, Israel, hear the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you.
Third Week of Lent, Tuesday
Daniel 3:25, 34-43
Shadrach (Hananiah), Meshach (Mishael), Abednego (Azariah), and Belteshazzar (Daniel) managed to preserve their Israelite heritage intact in the midst of Babylonian power and prestige.… Read the rest
… Read the restAs the deer longs for streams of water,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, the living God.
Third Week of Lent, Monday
Man of valor Naaman commanded infantries
But was overpowered by a vile skin disease.
A little girl’s faith—the size of a mustard seed—
Sent the chief to Israel with surefooted speed.… Read the rest
Sir, leave the tree alone this year, I adjure,
Til I dig around it and heap on manure.… Read the rest
There is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human being.… Read the rest
The number forty in the Bible is associated with the recreation of the earth and its inhabitants, beginning with the Flood of Noah.… Read the rest
“Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.”
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!… Read the rest
… Read the restSo the Lord God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The Lord God
The Lord reveals his glory in the presence of chosen witnesses. His body is like that of the rest of mankind, but he makes it shine with such splendor that his face becomes like the sun in glory, and his garments as white as snow.… Read the rest
… Read the rest“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
First Week of Lent, Saturday
… Read the rest“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
First Week of Lent, Friday
… Read the restI tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
… Read the restAsk and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For
First Week of Lent, Thursday
… Read the rest“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
… Read the restThen some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”
… Read the restThen Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The
First Week of Lent, Tuesday
Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 4:4b; Matthew 6:7-15
… Read the restYet just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
And do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
Giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
So shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to me empty,
but shall do what pleases me,
achieving the end for which I sent it.
… Read the rest“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him.
Saturday After Ash Wednesday
Luke 5:27-32
The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
Luke 5:30
The banquet at Levi’s house was a preview of paradise when Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will recline with “tax collectors and sinners” at the feast in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 8:11).… Read the rest
In prayer we have a direct beeline to God. Better than wireless, the Holy Spirit carries our message to the Father even before we speak: “Even before a word is on my tongue, Lord, you know it all” (Psalm 139:4).… Read the rest
Ash Wednesday begins with the sober remembrance of our expulsion from the Garden of Eden. “For you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” the Lord God pronounced after Adam’s transgression (Genesis 3:19).… Read the rest
“Lose it all, gain it all” (2 panels)
A reflection on Mark 10:28-31
Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
©️2021 by Gloria M. Chang
… Read the restPeter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.
… Read the restAs Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus
… Read the restBrothers and sisters:
When this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about:Death is swallowed up in victory.
… Read the restIn those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And
… Read the restJesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom, he again taught them. The
The salt of the Spirit purifies the eye
Of the heart like fire, the Church to unify.
… Read the rest“Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt
Whoever slakes the thirst of a Christ-bearer,
Honoring the Name, is with us a sharer.
… Read the restJohn said to him, “Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he was not following us.” But
… Read the restAs Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.
… Read the restBrothers and sisters:
It is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living being,” the last Adam a life-giving spirit. But
… Read the restAfter six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then
… Read the rest“Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
… Read the restNow Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They
