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

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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

Let Us Love One Another in God

Photo of snail and rose speaking the couplet, "Let us love one another in God for this is the Kingdom of God."
โ€œLet Us Love One Another in Godโ€
Mark 12:28-34 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Mark 12:28-34

One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked him, โ€œWhich is the first of all the commandments?โ€… Read the rest

Resurrected Saints Shall Fly

Photo of snail and snowmound spirea shrub speaking the couplet, "Resurrected saints shall fly like angels in paradise!"
โ€œResurrected Saints Shall Flyโ€
Mark 12:18-27 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Mark 12:18-27

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and put this question to him, saying, โ€œTeacher, Moses wrote for us, โ€˜If someoneโ€™s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.โ€™… Read the rest

Render to Caesar

โ€œRender to Caesar” (3 panels)
Mark 12:17 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Mark 12:13-17

Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech. They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion.… Read the rest

Crushed Like Grapes

Photo of snail and roses speaking the couplet about Mark 12:1-12, "On grapes, the Lord hired farmers to tread. / But his Son they crushed into wine and bread."
โ€œCrushed Like Grapesโ€
A reflection on Mark 12:1-12
Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

The beloved Son was crushed like grapes to become the wine that saves us.

The Parable of the Tenants

Gospel

Mark 12:1-12

He began to speak to them in parables.ย … Read the rest