Heaven’s Oil

Photo of snail on an autumn leaf with text overlay of the reflection on Matthew 25:1-13: "Heavenโ€™s oil burns, / As the world turns."
โ€œHeavenโ€™s Oilโ€
A reflection on Matthew 25:1-13
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

… Read the rest

Israel’s Universal Banquet

Photo of snail and wild flowers with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 14:15-24: "Welcoming strangers from streets and alleys, / God feeds the world from Israelโ€™s valleys."
โ€œIsraelโ€™s Universal Banquetโ€
A reflection on Luke 14:15-24
Tuesday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2024 Gloria M. Chang

How does Israel’s universal banquet invite everyone to God’s table of grace?

Gospel

Luke 14:15-24

One of those at table with Jesus said to him, โ€œBlessed is the one who will dine in the kingdom of God.โ€… Read the rest

Baptism of Fire

Photo of snail and begonia speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Baptism of Fire."
โ€œBaptism of Fireโ€
Luke 12:49-50 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

What does Jesus mean by the baptism of fire, and why does it spark division among families and nations?

Gospel

Luke 12:49-53

I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!… Read the rest

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