Lambs Among Wolves

Photo of snail and snowmound spirea shrub with text overlay of the reflection on Luke 10:1-12: "Two by two went forth seventy Jews / Like lambs among wolves,ย / 
With shalom and good news."
โ€œLambs Among Wolvesโ€
Luke 10:1-12 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 10:1-12

After this the Lord appointed seventy[-two] others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.… Read the rest

The Cross and the Copper Serpent

Photo of snail and pink turtlehead speaking the Shalom Snail poem, "The Cross and the Copper Serpent."
โ€œThe Cross and the Copper Serpentโ€
A reflection on Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:13-17
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

First Reading

Numbers 21:4-9

From Mount Hor they set out by way of the Red Sea, to bypass the land of Edom, but the peopleโ€™s patience was worn out by the journey;ย so the people complainedย against God and Moses, โ€œWhy have you brought us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness, where there is no food or water?… Read the rest

Transfigured in Light

Photo of snail and roses against a bright, white background with text overlay of the poetic reflection on Matthew 17:1-9 and Exodus 34:29: "Transfigured in light and set ablaze, Jesus the new Moses, sent out rays."
โ€œTransfigured in Lightโ€
A reflection on Matthew 17:1-9 and Exodus 34:29
Solemnity of the Transfiguration of the Lord (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 17:1-9

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.… Read the rest

Resurrected Saints Shall Fly

Photo of snail and snowmound spirea shrub speaking the couplet, "Resurrected saints shall fly like angels in paradise!"
โ€œResurrected Saints Shall Flyโ€
Mark 12:18-27 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Mark 12:18-27

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and put this question to him, saying, โ€œTeacher, Moses wrote for us, โ€˜If someoneโ€™s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.โ€™… Read the rest

Word and Bread

Photo of three orange tulips with text overlay of the last four lines of the poem, "Word and Bread."
โ€œWord and Breadโ€
A poem on Luke 24:13-35
Third Sunday of Easter (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

In receiving the Word and Bread, eyes open and hearts burn with resurrection hope.

Gospel

Luke 24:13-35

Now that very day two of them were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And… Read the rest

Touched by the Transfigured Christ

โ€œTouched by the Transfigured Christโ€
A reflection on Matthew 17:1-9
Second Sunday of Lent (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

In the blinding glory of the Transfigured Christ, Jesus touches us and whispers: “Rise, and do not be afraid.โ€

Gospel

Matthew 17:1-9

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.… Read the rest

The Beatitudes of Christ

Photo of tulips speaking the couplet, "The Beatitudes of Christ."
โ€œThe Beatitudes of Christโ€
A reflection on Matthew 5:1-12a
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Discover the beatitudes of Christ: Jesus’ upside-down blueprint for true blessedness and sanctity.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

… Read the rest

Isaiah 61, Day 4

Photo of snail and yellow flowers speaking Isaiah 61:10 about the garments of salvation.
โ€œIsaiah 61, Day 4โ€
Isaiah 61:10b
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

Clothed in garments of salvation, we reclaim the radiant glory lost in Eden and shine as brides of Christ.

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation,
and wrapped me in a robe of justice
…

Isaiah 61:10b

Symbolic Garments

In the book of Revelation, the holy city, new Jerusalem, comes down out of heaven from God, โ€œprepared as a bride adorned for her husbandโ€ (Revelation 21:2).… Read the rest