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.

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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.

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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€

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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.

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The Heart of the Sabbath

Photo of a snail amid phlox with the Shalom Snail couplet printed beneath.
โ€œThe Heart of the Sabbathโ€
A reflection on Luke 6:1-5 and Matthew 9:36
Saturday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

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.

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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

Then Peter approaching asked him, โ€œLord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?โ€

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Between You and Him Alone

Two snail amid roses speaking the Shalom Snail couplet.
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.

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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.

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The Parable of the Lost Sons

Prodigal Son, Lost Sons, Shalom Snail
โ€œThe Parable of the Lost Sonsโ€
A reflection on Luke 15:11-32
Fourth Sunday of Lent (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, โ€œThis man welcomes sinners and eats with them.โ€

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