You Were Once Aliens

Photo of a snail with dahlias speaking the reflection on Exodus 22 and Matthew 22:34-40: "Strangers and sojourners, you shall not wrong, / For in Egypt, you too did not belong."
โ€œYou Were Once Aliensโ€
A reflection on Exodus 22:21(20) and Matthew 22:34-40
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

First Reading

Exodus 22:21(20)

Thus says the LORD: “You shall not molest or oppress an alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.โ€… Read the rest

A Blooming Arrow

Photo of snail, anemone, and dahlia with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "A Blooming Arrow."
โ€œA Blooming Arrowโ€
A reflection on Ephesians 2:1-10
Monday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time (Year II)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Ephesians 2:1-3

You were dead in your transgressions and sinsย in which you once lived following the age of this world,ย following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the disobedient.ย … Read the rest

Mercy Frees the Heart

Photo of snail and dahlia speaking the reflection on Sirach 27-28 and Matthew 18:21-35: "In a heart free of vengeance, / Divine Mercy gains entrance."
โ€œMercy Frees the Heartโ€
A reflection on Sirach 27:30-28:7 and Matthew 18:21-35
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

First Reading

Sirach 27:30-28:7

Wrath and anger, these also are abominations,
yet a sinner holds on to them.ย … Read the rest

Four Beatitudes and Four Woes

Photo of snail and dahlia with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 6:20-26: "Blessed are those who bear Christโ€™s shame / 
And die for the sake of his name."
โ€œFour Beatitudes and Four Woesโ€
A reflection on Luke 6:20-26
Wednesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 6:20-26

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:

โ€œBlessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.… Read the rest

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?

… Read the rest

The Woman and the Dragon

Photo of snail on a dahlia with text overlay of the poetic reflection on the Assumption from the First Reading at Mass: "O Woman clothed with the sun and crowned with twelve stars, / Eclipse the red dragon and prevail in our wars."
โ€œThe Woman and the Dragonโ€
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

First Reading

Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab

Godโ€™s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.ย … Read the rest

The Sigh of Christ

Photo of snail and dahlia speaking the couplet, "The Sigh of Christ."
โ€œThe Sigh of Christโ€
A reflection on Mark 7:34 and Mark 8:11-13
Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Discover the profound sigh of Christ: healing the deaf, grieving the faithless Pharisees’ hardened hearts.

Gospel

Mark 7:32-35

And people brought to Jesus a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him.ย … Read the rest

Ephphatha!

Photo of snail and dahlia bud speaking the couplet, "Ephphatha!" about Jesus healing the deaf-mute man in Mark 7.
โ€œEphphatha!โ€
A reflection on Mark 7:31-37
Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

In Mark 7, Jesus heals the deaf mute, commanding โ€œEphphatha!โ€ to open ears and loosen tongues in divine mercy.

Gospel

Mark 7:31-37

Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And… Read the rest