The Shepherd’s Staff

Photo of snail and peonies speaking the tercet, "The Shepherd's Staff."
โ€œThe Shepherdโ€™s Staffโ€
A reflection on Mark 6:8; Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:4
Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

The shepherd’s staff: apostles sent with authority, yet empty-handed, guided by Christ’s rod alone.

And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

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The Beatitudes of Christ

Photo of tulips speaking the couplet, "The Beatitudes of Christ."
โ€œThe Beatitudes of Christโ€
A reflection on Matthew 5:1-12a
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Discover the beatitudes of Christ: Jesus’ upside-down blueprint for true blessedness and sanctity.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

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Mysteries of Light

Photo of snail and leaf on a tree speaking the couplet about mysteries of light.
โ€œMysteries of Lightโ€
A reflection on Mark 4:21-23
Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

The mysteries of light burst forthโ€”hidden kingdom secrets now blaze openly through fearless disciples of Christ.

Jesus said to his disciples, โ€œIs a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For

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Heavenly Fisheries

Photo of two seagulls on an ocean bank speaking the couplet about heavenly fisheries.
โ€œHeavenly Fisheriesโ€
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
A reflection on Matthew 4:18-22
ยฉ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Four fishermen left their nets to join Christโ€™s heavenly fisheriesโ€”catching souls for eternity.

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He

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Beyond Justice

Photo of snail and roses with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Beyond Justice."
โ€œBeyond Justiceโ€
A reflection on Luke 14:12-14
Monday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2024 Gloria M. Chang

What if true blessing lies beyond justice, in a mercy that demands no return?

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees.

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A Cup of Herbal Tea

Photo of a snail and a Japanese holly speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "A Cup of Herbal Tea."
โ€œA Cup of Herbal Teaโ€
Luke 11:42 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Whatโ€™s the recipe for heavenly herbal tea?

โ€œWoe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God.

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Christ Unlocks the Kingdom

Photo of snail and echinacea purpurea with the Shalom Snail couplet beneath.
โ€œChrist Unlocks the Kingdomโ€
Matthew 23:13-22 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Monday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

โ€œWoe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter. 

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You Have but One Father in Heaven

Photo of baby snail asleep in a rose with the Shalom Snail couplet printed above.
โ€œYou Have but One Father in Heavenโ€
Matthew 23:1-12 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, โ€œThe scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.

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Paradox of Peace

A snail and begonias speaking the Shalom Snail couplet.
โ€œParadox of Peaceโ€
A reflection on Luke 12:49-53
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

โ€œI have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do

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