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

Beloved Shepherd

Photo of snail and daffodil behind a fence post with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet about the Beloved Shepherd.
โ€œBeloved Shepherdโ€
A reflection on John 10:1-10
Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

In the Shepherdโ€™s voice, lost sheep find their nameโ€”and abundant life.

Gospel

John 10:1-10

โ€œAmen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But… Read the rest

The Sigh of Christ

Photo of snail and dahlia speaking the couplet, "The Sigh of Christ."
โ€œThe Sigh of Christโ€
A reflection on Mark 7:34 and Mark 8:11-13
Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Discover the profound sigh of Christ: healing the deaf, grieving the faithless Pharisees’ hardened hearts.

Gospel

Mark 7:32-35

And people brought to Jesus a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him.ย … Read the rest

Seven Loaves

Photo of snail and tulips speaking the couplet about seven loaves from Mark 8.
โ€œSeven Loavesโ€
A reflection on Mark 8:1-10
Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Jesus multiplied seven loaves to feed thousands, prefiguring the abundant kingdom banquet for all nations.

Gospel

Mark 8:1-10

In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, โ€œMy heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If… Read the rest

Ephphatha!

Photo of snail and dahlia bud speaking the couplet, "Ephphatha!" about Jesus healing the deaf-mute man in Mark 7.
โ€œEphphatha!โ€
A reflection on Mark 7:31-37
Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

In Mark 7, Jesus heals the deaf mute, commanding โ€œEphphatha!โ€ to open ears and loosen tongues in divine mercy.

Gospel

Mark 7:31-37

Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And… Read the rest

Whoever Has Ears to Hear Ought to Hear

Photo of snail and cherry speaking the couplet about the Parable of the Sower meaning.
โ€œWhoever has ears to hear ought to hearโ€
A reflection on Mark 4:1-20
Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

What is the true meaning of the Parable of the Sower? Jesusโ€™ metaparable reveals that hearing the Word is not enoughโ€”only a pure, receptive heart bears abundant fruit.… Read the rest

The Lamb and the Dove

Photo of snail and tulip speaking the couplet about the Lamb and the Dove.
โ€œThe Lamb and the Doveโ€
A reflection on John 1:29-34
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Discover the profound union of the Lamb and the Dove in Christ’s revelation as Son of God.

The next day John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

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Jesus Touches a Leper

Photo of snail and rosehip speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Jesus Touches a Leper."
โ€œJesus Touches a Leperโ€
A reflection on Mark 1:40-45
Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, โ€œIf you wish, you can make me clean.โ€ Moved

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