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 Rich Young Man

Snail and coleus speaking the couplet about the Rich Young Man. The coleus says, "Why is our rich young friend sad today?" The snail answers, "He's torn between wealth and the poor Christ's way."
โ€œThe Rich Young Manโ€
Matthew 19:16-22 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 19:16-22

Now someone approached him and said, โ€œTeacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?โ€ He answered him, โ€œWhy do you ask me about the good?… Read the rest

The Dogged Faith of a Canaanite

Photo of snail in a crabapple blossom tree with text overlay of the reflection on Matthew 15:21-28: "The dogged faith of a Canaanite / Obtained the feast of the Israelite."
โ€œThe Dogged Faith of a Canaaniteโ€
Matthew 15:21-28 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 15:21-28

Then Jesus went from that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.… Read the rest

Saint James, Apostle

Photo of snail and roses speaking the couplet on Feast of Saint James, "James drank the cup of the Lord / When Herod slew him with the sword."
โ€œSaint James, Apostleโ€
A reflection on Mark 10:35-45 and Acts 12:1-3
Feast of Saint James, Apostle
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, โ€œTeacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.โ€ And

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

The Girl is Not Dead But Sleeping

Photo of snail amid irises with text overlay of the couplet, "As mourners and musicians wailed for the dead, / Jesus raised the little girl out of bed."
โ€œThe Girl is Not Dead But Sleepingโ€
Matthew 9:23-25 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26

While he was saying these things to them, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, โ€œMy daughter has just died.… Read the rest

Christ the King of the Cosmos

Photo of snail and magnolia speaking the couplet reflecting on Matthew 8:23-27: "Christ the King of the cosmos / Stills the seas of the seismos."
โ€œChrist the King of the Cosmosโ€
A reflection on Matthew 8:23-27
Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 8:23-27

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him.ย Suddenly a violent stormย came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep.ย … Read the rest

The Widow’s Mite

Photo of snail and marigold speaking the triplet, "A heart of gold / In a widow's mite / Stole God's Heart Threefold."
โ€œThe Widowโ€™s Miteโ€
Mark 12:38-44 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
โ€œThreefoldโ€ refers to the Trinity
Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Mark 12:38-55

In the course of his teaching he said, โ€œBeware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.… Read the rest

David’s Messianic Prophecy

Photo of snail and tulip speaking the couplet, "By the Spirit of the Lord, David called his son "Lord."
โ€œDavidโ€™s Messianic Prophecyโ€
Mark 12:35-37 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Mark 12:35-37

As Jesus was teaching in the temple area he said, โ€œHow do the scribes claim that the Messiah is the son of David?… Read the rest