Christ Binds the Strong Man

Photo of snail and tulips speaking the couplet, "Christ Binds the Strong Man."
โ€œChrist Binds the Strong Manโ€
A reflection on Mark 3:22-30
Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Christ binds the strong man, breaking Satan’s hold to plunder his house and free God’s children.

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, โ€œHe is possessed by Beelzebul,โ€ and โ€œBy the prince of demons he drives out demons.โ€

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The Root of Jesse, Day 8

Photo of a snail and an insect speaking Isaiah 11:8 about the baby playing by the viper's den.
โ€œThe Root of Jesse, Day 8โ€
Isaiah 11:8
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

In the viperโ€™s den, perfect love reignsโ€”fear flees where Christ is victorious.

The baby shall play by the viperโ€™s den,
and the child lay his hand on the adderโ€™s lair.

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Living Stones of the New Jerusalem

Photo of snail and roses speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Living Stones of the New Jerusalem."
โ€œLiving Stones of the New Jerusalemโ€
A reflection on Luke 21:5-19
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang Revised 2025

How will the living stones of the New Jerusalem arise from the templeโ€™s destruction?

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, he said, โ€œAll that you see hereโ€”the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.โ€

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The Cross and the Copper Serpent

Photo of snail and pink turtlehead speaking the Shalom Snail poem, "The Cross and the Copper Serpent."
โ€œThe Cross and the Copper Serpentโ€
A reflection on Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:13-17
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

First Reading

From Mount Hor they set out by way of the Red Sea, to bypass the land of Edom, but the peopleโ€™s patience was worn out by the journey; so the people complained against God and Moses, โ€œWhy have you brought us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness, where there is no food or water?

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Citizens of Heaven

Photo of snail and snapdragon speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Citizens of Heaven."
โ€œCitizens of Heavenโ€
Philippians 3:20-21 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Friday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time (Year II)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

What does it mean to live as a citizen of heaven in a world focused on earthly desires?

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many,

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