Living Bread

A snail and a magnolia speak John 6:51: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever."
โ€œLiving Breadโ€
John 6:51
Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.

John 6:51

I am the living bread that came down from heaven.

Read the rest

My Father’s Will

A snail and pear blossoms speak John 6:38: "I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me."
โ€œMy Fatherโ€™s Willโ€
John 6:38
Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.โ€

Read the rest

Bread of Life

Photo of a snail and a tulip speaking John 6:35: "I AM the Bread of Life."
โ€œBread of Lifeโ€
John 6:35
From the Gospel at Mass
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

โ€œI am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.โ€

John 6:35

I AM the Bread of Life.

Read the rest

My Shalom

A snail and camellia flowers speak John 14:27: "Shalom I leave with you; my shalom I give to you. Alleluia!"
โ€œMy Shalomโ€
John 14:27 from the Communion Antiphon
Monday of the Third Week of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my nameโ€”he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.

Read the rest

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

Go to My Brothers

Two snails and a tulip outside a cave speak John 20:17: "Go to my brothers and tell them, I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."
โ€œGo to My Brothersโ€
John 20:17b
Tuesday within the Octave of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

โ€œI will be with you only a little while longer,
and then I will go to the one who sent me.

John 7:33

Go to my brothers and tell them,
I am going to my Father and your Father,
to my God and your God.

Read the rest

The Sealed and Empty Tomb

Photo of snail and daffodils with text overlay of the couplet, "The Sealed and Empty Tomb."
โ€œThe Sealed and Empty Tombโ€
Easter Sunday
A reflection on Matthew 28:1-6 and John 20:19-20
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

The sealed and empty tomb proclaims: Christ rose intact, preserving seals as from the Virgin’s womb.

Matthew 28:1-6 (RSV)

Now after the sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulchre.ย … 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

Lazarus, Come Out!

Photo of snail and daffodils speaking the couplet inspired by John 11:1-45: "Praying to his Father before the crowd, Jesus raised Lazarus wrapped in a shroud."
โ€œLazarus, Come Out!โ€
A reflection on John 11:1-45
Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Jesus wept in sorrow, then commanded with power: โ€œLazarus, come out!โ€

Gospel

John 11:1-45
The Death of Lazarus

Now a man was ill, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary… Read the rest