Holy Women Who Followed Jesus

โ€œHoly Women Who Followed Jesusโ€
A reflection on Luke 8:1-3 and Luke 7:31-35
Friday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 8:1-3

Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.… Read the rest

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Photo of snail and dahlia speaking the reflection on Song of Song 6:10: "O Mary fair as the moon and pure as the sun, / 
Fearsome as bannered troopsโ€”the victory is won."
โ€œThe Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Maryโ€
A reflection on Song of Songs 6:10
Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Midmorning Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Bannered Troops

Who is this that comes forth like the dawn,
as beautiful as the moon, as resplendent as the sun,
as awe-inspiring as bannered troops?

… Read the rest

The Passion of Saint John the Baptist

Photo of snail and begonias speaking the Shalom Snail couplet.
โ€œThe Passion of Saint John the Baptistโ€
A reflection on Mark 6:17-29
Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Mark 6:17-29

Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.ย … Read the rest

Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

Photo of a big, medium, and small snail on a fig leaf speaking a tercet  reflecting on the Call of Nathanael in John 1:45-51: "Nathanael, follow me. / Greater things shall you see / Than my fig tree prophecy."
โ€œThe Call of Nathanaelโ€
John 1:45-51 in a tercet
Feast of Saint Bartholomew
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

John 1:45-51

Philip found Nathanael and told him, โ€œWe have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.โ€… Read the rest

Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

Photo of snail and wheatlike grass with text overlay of the couplet reflecting on John 12:24-26: "Life dormant in a grain of wheat / Won't waken til it's broken seed."
โ€œUnless a grain of wheatโ€
John 12:24-26 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

John 12:24-26

Amen, 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 rest

In His Father’s Glory

โ€œIn His Fatherโ€™s Gloryโ€
A reflection on Matthew 16:27
Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 16:24-28

Jesus said to his disciples, โ€œWhoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.… Read the rest

Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

Photo of snail on a pink lily with text overlay of the reflection on John 11:19-27: "Jesus said to Martha, 'Your brother will rise. One who believes in me will live, even if he dies.'"
โ€œSaints Martha, Mary, and Lazarusโ€
John 11:19-27 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

And 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 rest