Beelzebul: A Pejorative Pun?

โ€œBeelzebul: A Pejorative Pun?โ€
A reflection on Matthew 12:22-29, Mark 3:22-27, Luke 11:14-23
ยฉ๏ธ2024 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 12:26-28

And if Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself; how, then, will his kingdom stand?ย And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own peopleย drive them out?… Read the rest

A Prophet for All Nations

Photo of snail and black-eyed susans speaking the reflection on Luke 4:16-30: "Israelโ€™s prophets blessed Sidon and Syria. /
Disturbing truth drove hearers to hysteria."
โ€œA Prophet for All Nationsโ€
Luke 4:16-30 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Monday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 4:16-30

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day.… Read the rest

Touched by the Transfigured Christ

โ€œTouched by the Transfigured Christโ€
A reflection on Matthew 17:1-9
Second Sunday of Lent (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

In the blinding glory of the Transfigured Christ, Jesus touches us and whispers: “Rise, and do not be afraid.โ€

Gospel

Matthew 17:1-9

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.… Read the rest

Yeshua at the Jordan River

Photo of snail and plant by a waterfall speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Yeshua at the Jordan River."
โ€œYeshua at the Jordan Riverโ€
A reflection on Matthew 3:1-12
Second Sunday of Advent (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Yeshua at the Jordan River: where Joshua, Elijah, and the Bridegroom converge to fulfill every ancient promise.

In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, โ€œRepent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!โ€ It

… Read the rest

Journey Through a Samaritan Village

Photo of snail and hibiscus with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Journey Through a Samaritan Village."
โ€œJourney Through a Samaritan Villageโ€ Luke 9:51-56 and 2 Kings 1:9-12 โ€œin a snailshellโ€ Tuesday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang Revised in 2025

Jesus’ compassionate Journey Through a Samaritan Village reveals his universal love, contrasting the fiery zeal of James and John with his mission of grace.… Read the rest

God’s Still Small Voice

A snail and a pieris japonica reflect on 1 Kings 19:9-18: "Tempests, quakes, and fire shock the senses. Godโ€™s still small voice disarms defenses."
โ€œGodโ€™s Still Small Voiceโ€
A reflection on 1 Kings 19:9-18
Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (Year II)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Why Are You Here, Elijah?

The God of Moses on Mount Sinai revealed himself in thunder, lightning, smoke, and fire (Exodus 19:16-18).… Read the rest

The Jar of Flour Shall Not Go Empty

โ€œThe Jar of Flour Shall Not Go Emptyโ€
1 Kings 17:10-16 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

In those days, Elijah the prophet went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called out to her, โ€œPlease bring me a small cupful of water to drink.โ€

… Read the rest

A Mystery Hushed

โ€œA Mystery Hushedโ€
A reflection on Mark 9:2-13
Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 by Gloria M. Chang

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then

… Read the rest

Plowing to Paradise

โ€œPlowing to Paradiseโ€
A reflection on 1 Kings 19:19-21, Luke 9:59-62, Revelation 21:21
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
Note: โ€œFare thee wellโ€ is the archaic form of โ€œgoodbyeโ€ or โ€œfarewell.โ€
ยฉ๏ธ2022 by Gloria M. Chang

Elijah set out, and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth.

… Read the rest