Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

Reflect on the faith of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus! In John 11:19-27, Jesus proclaims, โ€œI am the resurrection and the life.โ€
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 Shalom Snail couplet.
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

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

Joy of the Saints

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

Read the rest

I Have Called You By Name

Photo of a snail on a rose speaking the poetic couplet.
โ€œI Have Called You By Nameโ€
Isaiah 43:1 and Luke 10:20
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

The seventy[-two] returned rejoicing, and said, โ€œLord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.โ€ Jesus said, โ€œI have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold,

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

Shalom Snail reflects on the Memorial of Saint Barnabas the Apostle: "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

The Infant in My Womb Leapt for Joy

A snail on a weeping cherry reflects on the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: "The Word of God leapt from heaven, / Taking flesh in Maryโ€™s womb. / Unborn John leapt with abandon / As the friend of the Bridegroom."
โ€œThe Infant in My Womb Leapt for Joyโ€
A reflection on Wisdom 18:15, Luke 1:39-45, John 3:29
Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

โ€ฆyour all-powerful word leapt from heaven, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomedโ€ฆ

Wisdom 18:15 (New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised)

During 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

Read the rest