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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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

Paul’s Swan Song

Photo of snail and dahlia with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Paul's Swan Song."
โ€œPaulโ€™s Swan Songโ€
2 Timothy 4:6 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

How does Paulโ€™s Swan Song reveal the heart of a disciple ready to meet his Lord face to face?

For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. 

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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

How does Godโ€™s love draw us toward him as his blooming arrow for eternity?

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

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