One Loaf of Bread

Photo of snail and pines at waterfall speaking the couplet, "One Loaf of Bread."
โ€œOne Loaf of Breadโ€
A reflection on Mark 8:14-21
Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

In the boat with one loaf of bread, Jesus reveals deeper truth beyond physical hunger.

Gospel

Mark 8:14-21

They had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.ย … Read the rest

The Love of a Mother Hen

Photo of snail and zinnia speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "The Love of a Mother Hen."
โ€œThe Love of a Mother Henโ€
Luke 13:34 and Matthew 23:37 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

How does the love of a mother hen reflect Jesusโ€™ yearning to gather and protect his beloved people?… Read the rest

But Who Do You Say That I Am?

A snail and pear blossoms speak the Shalom Snail couplet, "But Who Do You Say That I Am?"
โ€œBut Who Do You Say That I Am?โ€
A reflection on Luke 9:18-22
Friday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Peterโ€™s confession of Christ shines as a pivotal moment in Luke 9:18-22, where he boldly declares Jesus as the Messiah amidst widespread speculation.… Read the rest

Herod’s Perplexity

Photo of snail and perennial pea speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Herod's Perplexity."
โ€œHerodโ€™s Perplexityโ€ Luke 9:7-9 โ€œin a snailshellโ€ Thursday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang


In Herodโ€™s Perplexity, rumors of Jesus as John, Elijah, or an ancient prophet fueled Herod’s fearful curiosity about the divine presence he could not destroy.… Read the rest

Herod’s Distress

โ€œHerodโ€™s Distressโ€
A reflection on Matthew 14:1-12
Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, โ€œThis man is John the Baptist.

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Saint James, Apostle

Photo of snail and roses speaking the Shalom Snail couplet.
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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Joseph, Flee to Egypt!

โ€œJoseph, Flee to Egypt!โ€
Matthew 2:13-18 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Feast of the Holy Innocents
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, โ€œRise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you.

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Signs of the Kingdom

Icon of Jesus and the Centurion

12th Week in Ordinary Time, Saturday (Year II)

Matthew 8:5-17

Jesusโ€™ fame as a healer spread far and wide in Palestine, attracting not only lepers but foreigners like the Roman centurion. Jews did not associate with either group; one was โ€œunclean,โ€ the other was โ€œGentile.โ€… Read the rest