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.

… Read the rest

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

… Read the rest

Isaiah 61, Day 7

Photo of snail and tulips speaking about the Righteous Branch in Isaiah 61:11.
โ€œIsaiah 61, Day 7โ€
Isaiah 61:11b
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

From divine soil, a righteous Branch springs forth, blooming justice and praise across the nations.

As the earth brings forth its shoots,
and a garden makes its seeds spring up,

So will the Lord God make justice spring up,
and praise before all the nations.

… Read the rest

Isaiah 61, Day 5

Photo of snail and spider flower with text overlay of Isaiah 61:10c about the bridegroom and bride.
โ€œIsaiah 61, Day 5โ€
Isaiah 61:10c
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

The eternal Bridegroom and Bride form heavenโ€™s royal temple, sealed in divine splendor.

Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem,
as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isaiah 61:10c

Heavenly Marriage

Biblical marriage between a bridegroom and his bride has royal, sacred, and cosmic significance. … Read the rest

Joseph’s Dream

Photo of snail and rose with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Joseph's Dream."
โ€œJosephโ€™s Dreamโ€
A reflection on Matthew 1:18-24
Third Sunday of Advent (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

In Joseph’s Dream, divine mercy transformed a righteous man’s sorrow into joyful guardianship of the Savior.

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.

… Read the rest

Isaiah 61, Day 3

Photo of snail and lantana speaking Isaiah 61:10, the Canticle of the Bride.
โ€œIsaiah 61, Day 3โ€
Isaiah 61:10a
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

I will rejoice heartily in the Lord,
my being exults in my God.

Isaiah 61:10a

Canticle of the Bride

Holy Mother Church, the new Jerusalem, rejoices as one Body and one Bride.… Read the rest