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?

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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.

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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

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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