The Passion of Saint John the Baptist

Photo of snail and begonias speaking the Shalom Snail couplet.
โ€œThe Passion of Saint John the Baptistโ€
A reflection on Mark 6:17-29
Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Mark 6:17-29

Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.ย … Read the rest

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

โ€œThe Parable of the Ten Virginsโ€
A reflection on Matthew 25:1-13 and Song of Solomon 5:2
Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 25:1-13

โ€œThen the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.… Read the rest

The Divine Thief

Photo of a snail on a hydrangea leaf with text overlay of the reflection on Matthew 24:42-44: "Awake! Christ will come like a thief in the night. / Be prepared with hearts merciful and contrite."
โ€œThe Divine Thiefโ€โ€จ
A reflection on Matthew 24:42-44 and Isaiah 57:15
Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang
Matthew 24:42-44

Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.… Read the rest

Whitewashed Tombs

Photo of snail and whiteswan coneflowers speaking the reflection on Matthew 23:27-32: "Whitewashed tombs full of dead men's bones! / Change your heart, for the whole earth groans."
โ€œWhitewashed Tombsโ€
A reflection on Matthew 23:27-32 and Romans 8:19-23
Wednesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 23:27-32

โ€œWoe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead menโ€™s bones and every kind of filth.ย … Read the rest

Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

Photo of a big, medium, and small snail on a fig leaf speaking a tercet  reflecting on the Call of Nathanael in John 1:45-51: "Nathanael, follow me. / Greater things shall you see / Than my fig tree prophecy."
โ€œThe Call of Nathanaelโ€
John 1:45-51 in a tercet
Feast of Saint Bartholomew
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

John 1:45-51

Philip found Nathanael and told him, โ€œWe have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.โ€… Read the rest

The King and His Steward

Photo of snail among colorful croton plants with text overlay of the reflection on Isaiah 22, Matthew 16, and Revelation 3: "Lord Jesus Christ, bearer of David's key, / Guide Peter, the rock, to govern wisely."
โ€œThe King and His Stewardโ€
A reflection on Isaiah 22:19-23, Matthew 16:13-20, Revelation 3:7
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang


The Key of David reveals Christ the King entrusting his authority to Peter, his steward, to govern his Church.… Read the rest

Love of God and Neighbor

Photo of a snail and a rose speaking the reflection on Matthew 22:34-40: "As flowers receive sunshine and give fragrance to all, / Shining God to neighbors is the essence of our call."
โ€œLove of God and Neighborโ€
Matthew 22:34-40 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Friday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking,โ€œTeacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?โ€… Read the rest

The Parable of the Wedding Feast

A snail and dahlias speak the Shalom Snail couplet.
โ€œThe Parable of the Wedding Feastโ€
Matthew 22:1-14 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to them in parables, saying, โ€œThe kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.… Read the rest

The Workers in the Vineyard

Photo of a snail and American wisteria speaking the Shalom Snail couplet reflecting on Matthew 20:1-16: "Come work in Godโ€™s vineyard early or late.
The bounty for every one is first-rate."
โ€œThe Workers in the Vineyardโ€
Matthew 20:1-16 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 20:1-16

โ€œThe kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.… Read the rest