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

A Blooming Arrow

Photo of snail, anemone, and dahlia with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "A Blooming Arrow."
โ€œA Blooming Arrowโ€
A reflection on Ephesians 2:1-10
Monday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time (Year II)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Ephesians 2:1-3

You were dead in your transgressions and sinsย in which you once lived following the age of this world,ย following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the disobedient.ย … Read the rest

Whom Should You Fear?

A photo of a snail snail and verbena flowers with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 12:4-5: "When a garden of paradise blooms within, / Little flowโ€™rs fear not the Gehenna of sin."
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?

Gospel

Luke 12:4-5

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

Luke 10:25-37

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

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

Mercy Frees the Heart

Photo of snail and dahlia speaking the reflection on Sirach 27-28 and Matthew 18:21-35: "In a heart free of vengeance, / Divine Mercy gains entrance."
โ€œMercy Frees the Heartโ€
A reflection on Sirach 27:30-28:7 and Matthew 18:21-35
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

First Reading

Sirach 27:30-28:7

Wrath and anger, these also are abominations,
yet a sinner holds on to them.ย … Read the rest

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