Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

Photo of a snail and tulips by a waterfall speaking the Shalom Snail couplet.
โ€œThe Voice Beyond the Caveโ€
John 20:1-2, 11-18 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.

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Releasing the Holy Spirit

A snail and a tulip speak John 16:7: "It is better for you that I go so that the Paraclete will come to you."
โ€œReleasing the Holy Spiritโ€
John 16:7, adapted and abridged
Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Paraklรฉtos is variously translated as Paraclete, Advocate, Intercessor, Consoler, Comforter, Helper, Strengthener, Standby, and Counselor. Paraclete, the Anglicized form of the Greek word, is used here to represent all possible translations.… Read the rest

John Saw and Believed

โ€œJohn Saw and Believedโ€
John 20:1-8 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.

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Easter Sprouts

โ€œEaster Sproutsโ€
A reflection on John 12:24
Easter Sunday
ยฉ๏ธ2024 Gloria M. Chang

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

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Sealed by God

Christ Pantocrator, 13th century Serbian icon

Monday of the Third Week of Easter

John 6:22-29

The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left.

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Two Angels and a Sword

Tuesday within the Octave of Easter

John 20:11-18 

โ€œWoman, why are you weeping?โ€

Two angels and the Lord Jesus Christ asked the same question in a garden. The scene recalls the first garden at the moment of exile: two angels, a fiery revolving sword guarding the way to the tree of life, and a weeping Eve (Genesis 3:24).… Read the rest

First Witnesses of the Resurrection

Monday within the Octave of Easter

Matthew 28:8-15 

โ€œDo not be afraid!โ€ commanded the lightning white angel at the empty tomb. 

A squadron of at least four guards, among the toughest and most indomitable warriors of Rome, โ€œwere shaken with fear of him and became like dead menโ€ (Matthew 28:4). … Read the rest

The Tree of Grace

Parable of the Mustard Seed. Biblical illustrations by Jim Padgett, courtesy of Sweet Publishing, Ft. Worth, TX, and Gospel Light, Ventura, CA. Copyright 1984. Licensed underย CC BY-SA 3.0.ย 

30th Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday (Year II)

Ephesians 5:21-33; Luke 13:18-21

In challenging times when the world seems to be falling apart, a tiny mustard seed of faith is more powerful than all negative forces combined. … Read the rest