The Root of Jesse, Day 4

Photo of snail and rose speaking Isaiah 11:5 about the justice and faithfulness of the Messiah: like Father, like Son.
โ€œThe Root of Jesse, Day 4โ€
Isaiah 11:5
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

The Messiah judges not by sight or rumor, but by the heartโ€”like Father, like Son.

Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide, 

But he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide fairly for the landโ€™s afflicted.

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The Root of Jesse, Day 2

Photo of snail and rosebud speaking Isaiah 11:2a, "The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding."
โ€œThe Root of Jesse, Day 2โ€
Isaiah 11:2a
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

True wisdom is not mere knowledgeโ€”it is the Spirit-given skill to discern, to craft, and to build what endures, from the tabernacle in the wilderness to the eternal house of God.… Read the rest

Thieves in the Temple

Phot of snail and pines speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Thieves in the Temple."
โ€œThieves in the Templeโ€
A reflection on Luke 19:45-48
Friday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Then Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, โ€œIt is written, โ€˜My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.โ€™โ€ And

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Serving From a Full Heart

Photo of snail and obedient plant speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Serving from a Full Heart."
โ€œServing from a Full Heartโ€
A reflection on Luke 17:7-10
Tuesday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

How can serving from a full heart transform our obedience into a joyful union with God’s divine love?

โ€œWho among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, โ€˜Come here immediately and take your place at tableโ€™? Would

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Israel’s Universal Banquet

Photo of snail and wild flowers with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Israel's Universal Banquet."
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?

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

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Paul’s Swan Song

Photo of snail and dahlia with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Paul's Swan Song."
โ€œPaulโ€™s Swan Songโ€
2 Timothy 4:6 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

How does Paulโ€™s Swan Song reveal the heart of a disciple ready to meet his Lord face to face?

For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. 

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Faithful Stewards in the Vineyard of the Lord

Photo of snail and dahlias with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Faithful Stewards in the Vineyard of the Lord."
โ€œFaithful Stewards in the Vineyard of the Lordโ€
A reflection on Luke 12:39-48
Wednesday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Are we faithful stewards, tending the Lordโ€™s vineyard with love?

Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

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Sleepless Sentinels

Photo of snail and weeping Japanese pagoda with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Sleepless Sentinels."
โ€œSleepless Sentinelsโ€
Luke 12:35-38 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Tuesday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Are you ready to stand as sleepless sentinels, vigilant for the Master’s return?

โ€œGird your loins and light your lampsand be like servants who await their masterโ€™s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.

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A Prophet for All Nations

โ€œA Prophet for All Nationsโ€
Luke 4:16-30 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Monday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day.

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