Coals of Fire

โ€œCoals of Fireโ€
A reflection on Luke 6:27-36, Matthew 26:52, and Proverbs 25:21-22
Thursday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 6:27-36

But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.… Read the rest

Four Beatitudes and Four Woes

Photo of snail and dahlia with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 6:20-26: "Blessed are those who bear Christโ€™s shame / 
And die for the sake of his name."
โ€œFour Beatitudes and Four Woesโ€
A reflection on Luke 6:20-26
Wednesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 6:20-26

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:

โ€œBlessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.… 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

Hail, Holy Queen

Photo of snail and marigolds with text overlay of the reflection on the Queenship of Mary: "Queen Mother, seated at your Son's right hand, / We praise you, from here to the Promised Land."
โ€œHail, Holy Queenโ€
A reflection on 1 Kings 2:19-20 and Luke 1:26-38
Memorial of the Queenship of Mary
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang
1 Kings 2:19-20 (ESV)

So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. And the king rose to meet her and bowed down to her.… Read the rest

Secrets of the Kingdom

โ€œSecrets of the Kingdomโ€
A reflection on Matthew 13:10-17
(cf. Luke 8:10; Mark 4:11-12)
Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 13:10-13

The disciples approached him and said, โ€œWhy do you speak to them in parables?โ€ย … Read the rest