The Spirit Blows Where It Wills

โ€œThe Spirit Blows Where It Willsโ€
A reflection on Luke 9:49-50, Mark 9:38-40, Numbers 11:25-29
Monday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Whoever is Not Against You is For You

Luke 9:49-50

Then John said in reply, โ€œMaster, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.โ€… Read the rest

Filled With God

Photo of a snail and a zinnia speaking a reflection on Romans 12:1-2: "While ages ebb and flow, God fills the mind/ And body, deifying humankind."
โ€œFilled With Godโ€
A reflection on Romans 12:1-2
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Second Reading

Romans 12:1-2

I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.ย … Read the rest

New and Old Treasures

โ€œNew and Old Treasuresโ€
A reflection on Matthew 13:51-53
Sunday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 13:51-53 (ESV)

โ€œHave you understood all these things?โ€ย They said to him, โ€œYes.โ€ย And he said to them,ย โ€œTherefore everyย scribeย who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, whoย brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.โ€… Read the rest

Planetary Peace

โ€œPlanetary Peaceโ€
A reflection on Romans 8:18-23
Sunday of the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Second Reading

Romans 8:18-23

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.ย … Read the rest

Do Not Worry About How You Are to Speak

Photo of two snails on a hydrangea speaking the Shalom Snail couplet.
โ€œDo Not Worry About How You Are to Speakโ€
Matthew 10:17-20 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 10:17-20

But beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.… Read the rest

Saints Peter and Paul: Nets in the Holy Sea

Two snails atop a rock overlooking a waterfall reflect on Saints Peter and Paul: "A fisherman and a Pharisee / Netted the world in the holy sea!"
โ€œSaints Peter and Paul: Nets in the Holy Seaโ€
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedeeโ€™s sons, and two others of his disciples.

… Read the rest

Like Sparrows

โ€œLike Sparrowsโ€
A reflection on Matthew 10:29-31
Sunday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 10:29-31 (ESV)

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?ย And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.ย … Read the rest

Our Father Makes Us One

A snail and a variety of tulips reflect on the Holy Trinity: "Our Father begets the Son, / Sends the Spirit and makes us one."
โ€œOur Father Makes Us Oneโ€
A reflection on Catechism of the Catholic Church 2789
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
ยฉ๏ธ2025 Gloria M. Chang

Our Father unites us as one in the eternal communion of the Trinity.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 2789

When we pray to “our” Father, we personally address the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.… Read the rest