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

Saint James, Apostle

Photo of snail and roses speaking the couplet on Feast of Saint James, "James drank the cup of the Lord / When Herod slew him with the sword."
โ€œSaint James, Apostleโ€
A reflection on Mark 10:35-45 and Acts 12:1-3
Feast of Saint James, Apostle
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, โ€œTeacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.โ€ And

Read the rest

Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

Photo of a snail and tulips by a waterfall speaking the Shalom Snail couplet.
โ€œThe Voice Beyond the Caveโ€
John 20:1-2, 11-18 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

John 20:1-2, 11-18

On 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 rest

The Path to True Life

Photo of a snail on a hydrangea speaking Matthew 10:39.
โ€œThe Path to True Lifeโ€
Matthew 10:39
Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Revelation 7:13-17 (ESV)

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, โ€œWho are these,ย clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?โ€ย … Read the rest

Saints Peter and Paul: Nets in the Holy Sea

Two snails atop a rock overlooking a waterfall reflect on Saints Peter and Paul: "A fisherman and a Pharisee / Netted the world in the holy sea!"
โ€œSaints Peter and Paul: Nets in the Holy Seaโ€
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

After 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, Zebedeeโ€™s sons, and two others of his disciples.

Read the rest

Saint Barnabas, Apostle

Photo of a baby snail riding an full-grown snail with text overlay of the couplet: "Spirit-filled Barnabas vouched for Paul, / Mentored John Mark and nurtured his call."
โ€œSaint Barnabas, Apostleโ€
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Champion of Paul

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 โ€œBarnabas,โ€ which means โ€œson of encouragementโ€ or โ€œson of consolationโ€ (Acts 4:36). … Read the rest