Fear Not!

Photo of baby snail on an adult snail walking on rocks above a waterfall. They speak to one another, "In the stormy sea, trust in the Lord, who says, I AM. Fear not!"
โ€œFear Not!โ€
A reflection on John 6:16-21
Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

John 6:16-21

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea,ย got into a boat, and started across the sea to Caperโ€ฒna-um.… Read the rest

Before Abraham Was, I AM

Photo of snail and pansies with text overlay of the poem featured in the blog post, "Before Abraham Was, I AM: Faith's Journey from Promise to Eternity."
โ€œBefore Abraham Was, I AMโ€
A reflection on Genesis 17:3-9 and John 8:51-59
Thursday of the Fifth Week in Lent
ยฉ๏ธ2026 Gloria M. Chang

In the shadow of Lent, Jesus declares the impossible: “Before Abraham was, I AM”โ€”eternal promise meets divine eternity, calling us to unbreakable faith.… 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

The Lamb and the Dove

Photo of snail and tulip speaking the couplet about the Lamb and the Dove.
โ€œThe Lamb and the Doveโ€
A reflection on John 1:29-34
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Discover the profound union of the Lamb and the Dove in Christ’s revelation as Son of God.

The next day John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

Read the rest

Fishers of Men

Photo of snail and tulips speaking the Shalom Snail couplet about fishers of men.
โ€œFishers of Menโ€
Mark 1:16-20 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Jesus calls ordinary fishermen to become fishers of men, inviting us to say “amen” to his adventure of faith.

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: โ€œThis is the time of fulfillment.

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Three Witnesses to the Victory of the Son

Photo of snail and rose with text overlay of a poetic quatrain on the 1 John 5:5-13 reflection.
โ€œThree Witnesses to the Victory of the Sonโ€
A reflection on 1 John 5:5-13
Friday after Epiphany
ยฉ๏ธ2026 Gloria M. Chang

A reflection on 1 John 5:5-13 for Friday after Epiphany: John proclaims three enduring witnessesโ€”the Spirit, the water, and the bloodโ€”that testify to Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the source of victory over the world and eternal life.… Read the rest

Isaiah 61, Day 6

Photo of snail and tulips speaking Isaiah 61:11a about God's garden.
โ€œIsaiah 61, Day 6โ€
Isaiah 61:11a
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

God’s promise blooms eternally: restoring the Garden of Eden, where justice and praise spring forth in fragrant abundance.

As the earth brings forth its shoots,
and a garden makes its seeds spring up,

So will the Lord God make justice spring up,
and praise before all the nations.

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Isaiah 61, Day 4

Photo of snail and yellow flowers speaking Isaiah 61:10 about the garments of salvation.
โ€œIsaiah 61, Day 4โ€
Isaiah 61:10b
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

Clothed in garments of salvation, we reclaim the radiant glory lost in Eden and shine as brides of Christ.

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation,
and wrapped me in a robe of justice

Isaiah 61:10b

Symbolic Garments

In the book of Revelation, the holy city, new Jerusalem, comes down out of heaven from God, โ€œprepared as a bride adorned for her husbandโ€ (Revelation 21:2).… Read the rest

The Root of Jesse, Day 7

A photo of three snails on a mountain speaking Isaiah 11:7 about the cow and the bear grazing together.
โ€œThe Root of Jesse, Day 7โ€
Isaiah 11:7
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

When the cow and the bear graze as one, clean and unclean unite in Christโ€™s peace.

The cow and the bear shall graze,
together their young shall lie down;
the lion shall eat hay like the ox.

Read the rest