The Courage of John the Baptist

Photo of snail and begonias speaking the couplet, "The Courage of John the Baptist."
โ€œThe Courage of John the Baptistโ€
A reflection on Mark 6:18
Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 Gloria M. Chang

The courage of John the Baptist boldly confronted Herod’s sin, choosing truth over life itself.

King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, โ€œJohn the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.โ€ Others

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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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The Holy One of God

Photo of snail and cornus kousa speaking about the Holy One of God.
โ€œThe Holy One of Godโ€
Mark 1:21-28 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Unclean spirits trembled, recognizing Jesus as the Holy One of Godโ€”whose authority commands obedience and ignites holy fire.

Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The

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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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Yeshua at the Jordan River

Photo of snail and plant by a waterfall speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Yeshua at the Jordan River."
โ€œYeshua at the Jordan Riverโ€
A reflection on Matthew 3:1-12
Second Sunday of Advent (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Yeshua at the Jordan River: where Joshua, Elijah, and the Bridegroom converge to fulfill every ancient promise.

In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, โ€œRepent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!โ€ It

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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