Herod’s Perplexity

Photo of snail and perennial pea speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Herod's Perplexity."
โ€œHerodโ€™s Perplexityโ€
Luke 9:7-9 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang


In Herodโ€™s Perplexity, rumors of Jesus as John, Elijah, or an ancient prophet fueled Herod’s fearful curiosity about the divine presence he could not destroy.… Read the rest

Holy Women Who Followed Jesus

โ€œHoly Women Who Followed Jesusโ€
A reflection on Luke 8:1-3 and Luke 7:31-35
Friday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 8:1-3

Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.… Read the rest

Tears of Love and Sorrow

Photo of a snail and dew drenched rose speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Tears of Love and Sorrow."
โ€œTears of Love and Sorrowโ€
Luke 7:36-50 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 7:36-50

A Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Phariseeโ€™s house and reclined at table.… Read the rest

Misfits for the Kingdom

Photo of snail on a cosmos with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Misfits for the Kingdom."
โ€œMisfits for the Kingdomโ€
A reflection on Luke 7:31-35
Wednesday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 7:31-35

โ€œThen to what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?ย They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,

โ€˜We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.… Read the rest

The King and His Steward

Photo of snail among colorful croton plants with text overlay of the reflection on Isaiah 22, Matthew 16, and Revelation 3: "Lord Jesus Christ, bearer of David's key, / Guide Peter, the rock, to govern wisely."
โ€œThe King and His Stewardโ€
A reflection on Isaiah 22:19-23, Matthew 16:13-20, Revelation 3:7
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang


The Key of David reveals Christ the King entrusting his authority to Peter, his steward, to govern his Church.… Read the rest

Secrets of the Kingdom

โ€œSecrets of the Kingdomโ€
A reflection on Matthew 13:10-17
(cf. Luke 8:10; Mark 4:11-12)
Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 13:10-13

The disciples approached him and said, โ€œWhy do you speak to them in parables?โ€ย … Read the rest

Jonah and Jesus

Photo of three snails on tulips next to a waterfall speaking the Shalom Snail poem.
โ€œJonah and Jesusโ€
Matthew 12:38-42 in a tercet
Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 12:38-42

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, โ€œTeacher, we wish to see a sign from you.โ€… Read the rest

What Does Rest Look Like?

โ€œMy Yoke Is Easyโ€
Matthew 11:28-30 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang (Revised in 2024)

Gospel

Matthew 11:28-30

โ€œCome to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.… Read the rest