The Heart of the Sabbath

Photo of a snail amid phlox with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 6:1-5: "Kindness and mercy give joy to Godโ€™s heart. / 
Sabbaths without mercy his sheep discard."
โ€œThe Heart of the Sabbathโ€
A reflection on Luke 6:1-5
Saturday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 6:1-5

While he was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.… Read the rest

Seventy-Seven Times Forgive

Photo of snail on a goldenrain tree. speaking the Shalom Snail couplet.
โ€œSeventy-Seven Times Forgiveโ€
Matthew 18:21-35 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 18:21-35

Then Peter approaching asked him, โ€œLord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?… Read the rest

Between You and Him Alone

Two snails amid roses speaking humorously to illustrate the point of Matthew 18:15-20. The first snail says, "Shallom my friend! I've noticed you've slowed to a crawl." The second snail responds, "Thanks for telling me sub rosa and not before all."
โ€œBetween You and Him Aloneโ€
Mathew 18:15-20 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

โ€œIf your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.

Read the rest

The Dogged Faith of a Canaanite

Photo of snail in a crabapple blossom tree with text overlay of the reflection on Matthew 15:21-28: "The dogged faith of a Canaanite / Obtained the feast of the Israelite."
โ€œThe Dogged Faith of a Canaaniteโ€
Matthew 15:21-28 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 15:21-28

Then Jesus went from that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.… Read the rest

Beyond Justice

Photo of snail and roses with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Beyond Justice."
โ€œBeyond Justiceโ€
A reflection on Luke 14:12-14
Monday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2024 Gloria M. Chang

What if true blessing lies beyond justice, in a mercy that demands no return?

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees.

Read the rest

Set Free on the Sabbath

Photo of snail and autumn crocuses speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Set Free on the Sabbath."
โ€œSet Free on the Sabbathโ€ Luke 13:10-17 โ€œin a snailshellโ€ Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

How does Jesusโ€™ healing of the crippled woman reveal what it truly means to be set free on the Sabbath?… Read the rest

Whom Should You Fear?

A photo of a snail snail and verbena flowers with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Whom Should You Fear?"
โ€œWhom Should You Fear?โ€
A reflection on Luke 12:4-5
Friday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Who truly holds power over your soulโ€”earthly threats or the One who judges for eternity?

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more.

Read the rest

Mercy is Universal

Photo of a snail and cosmos speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Mercy is Universal."
โ€œMercy is Universalโ€
A reflection on Luke 10:25-37
Monday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Mercy is universal, transcending all boundaries as shown by the Samaritan’s compassionate aid to a stranger in Jesus’ parable.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, โ€œTeacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?โ€

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

A Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Phariseeโ€™s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.

Read the rest

The Parable of the Weeds

Photo of snail, calla lilies, and wild weeds with the Shalom Snail couplet printed beneath.
โ€œThe Parable of the Weedsโ€
Matthew 13:24-30 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

He proposed another parable to them. โ€œThe kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field.

Read the rest