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

To Save Life or to Destroy It?

Photo of snail on purple coneflower with text overlay of reflection on Luke 6:6-11: "When heart and mind are out of whack, / 
Doubts plague whether to heal or wrack."
โ€œTo Save Life or to Destroy It?โ€
Luke 6:6-11 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Monday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 6:6-11

On another sabbath he went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.… Read the rest

Harmony of Hearts

โ€œHarmony of Heartsโ€
A reflection on Matthew 18:19-20
Sunday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 18:19-20 (RSV)

โ€œAgain I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.ย … Read the rest

The Heart of the Sabbath

Photo of a snail amid phlox with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 6:1-5: "Kindness and mercy give joy to Godโ€™s heart. / 
Sabbaths without mercy his sheep discard."
โ€œThe Heart of the Sabbathโ€
A reflection on Luke 6:1-5
Saturday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 6:1-5

While he was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.… Read the rest

The Bridegroom and His Guests

Photo of snail amid cleome hassleriana with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 5:33-39: "The Bridegroom has come, bringing new cloth and wine. / 
The guests of the bridechamber must drink and dine."
โ€œThe Bridegroom and His Guestsโ€
Luke 5:33-39 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Friday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 5:33-39

And they said to him, โ€œThe disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.โ€… Read the rest

The Cure of Simon’s Mother-in-Law

Photo of snail and periwinkle with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 4:38-39: "Simonโ€™s mother-in-law was down with a fever. / 
Cured by the Word, she sprang up as housekeeper."
โ€œThe Cure of Simonโ€™s Mother-in-Lawโ€
Luke 4:38-39 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 4:38-39

After he left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simonโ€™s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her.… Read the rest

What Word Is This?

Photo of snail and blue mistflower speaking the Shalom Snail couplet.
โ€œWhat Word is This?โ€
Luke 4:31-37 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Tuesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 4:31-37

Jesus then went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority.… 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

Filled With God

Photo of a snail and a zinnia speaking a reflection on Romans 12:1-2: "While ages ebb and flow, God fills the mind/ And body, deifying humankind."
โ€œFilled With Godโ€
A reflection on Romans 12:1-2
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Second Reading

Romans 12:1-2

I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.ย … Read the rest