The Shepherd’s Staff

Photo of snail and peonies speaking the tercet, "The Shepherd's Staff."
โ€œThe Shepherdโ€™s Staffโ€
A reflection on Mark 6:8; Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:4
Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

The shepherd’s staff: apostles sent with authority, yet empty-handed, guided by Christ’s rod alone.

And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

Read the rest

Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

Photo of snail and zinnia speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles."
โ€œSaints Simon and Jude, Apostles”
Ephesians 2:19-22 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

On the feast of Saints Simon and Jude, let us contemplate the image of the Church as living stones built upon Christ the cornerstone.… Read the rest

A Gospel for Theophilus

โ€œA Gospel for Theophilusโ€
A reflection on Luke 1:1-4
Sunday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time (Year C)
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.

Read the rest

Saint Andrew, Apostle

โ€œThe Call of the First Disciplesโ€
Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle
Matthew 4:18-22 “in a snailshellโ€
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He

Read the rest

Shepherd of the Lost

4th Week in Ordinary Time, Saturday (Year I)

Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21; Psalm 23; Mark 6:30-34

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, โ€œCome away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.โ€

Read the rest

A New Kind of King

14th Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday (Year II)

Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12; Matthew 10:1-7

If they would say, โ€œWe have no kingโ€โ€” Since they do not fear the LORD, what can the king do for them? (Hosea 10:3)

About three hundred years after the launch of the Kingship Experiment, Hosea published the results: despair and helplessness. … Read the rest