Yeshua at the Jordan River

Photo of snail and plant by a waterfall speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Yeshua at the Jordan River."
โ€œYeshua at the Jordan Riverโ€
A reflection on Matthew 3:1-12
Second Sunday of Advent (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Yeshua at the Jordan River: where Joshua, Elijah, and the Bridegroom converge to fulfill every ancient promise.

In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, โ€œRepent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!โ€ It

… Read the rest

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Photo of snail and hibiscus with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "The Parable of the Persistent Widow."
โ€œThe Parable of the Persistent Widowโ€ Luke 18:1-8 โ€œin a snailshellโ€ Saturday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

What does the parable of the persistent widow reveal about perseverance in prayer?

Then he told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He

… Read the rest

Praying Hands

Photo of snail and pansies with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Praying Hands."
โ€œPraying Handsโ€ A reflection on Exodus 17:8-13 Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

How did the praying hands of Moses, supported by Aaron and Hur, draw divine power to turn the tide of battle against the Amalekites?… Read the rest

A Cup of Herbal Tea

Photo of a snail and a Japanese holly speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "A Cup of Herbal Tea."
โ€œA Cup of Herbal Teaโ€
Luke 11:42 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Whatโ€™s the recipe for heavenly herbal tea?

โ€œWoe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God.

… Read the rest

God’s Still Small Voice

A snail and a pieris japonica reflect on 1 Kings 19:9-18: "Tempests, quakes, and fire shock the senses. Godโ€™s still small voice disarms defenses."
โ€œGodโ€™s Still Small Voiceโ€
A reflection on 1 Kings 19:9-18
Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (Year II)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Why Are You Here, Elijah?

The God of Moses on Mount Sinai revealed himself in thunder, lightning, smoke, and fire (Exodus 19:16-18).… Read the rest

The New Law Inscribed by the Finger of God

A spring crocus and a snail recite the couplet, "The new Moses wrote with the finger of God / A New Law in dust by the Spirit of God."
โ€œThe New Law Inscribed by the Finger of Godโ€
A reflection on John 8:1-11 and 1 Corinthians 15:45-49
Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them.

… Read the rest

Citizens of Heaven

Photo of snail and snapdragon speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Citizens of Heaven."
โ€œCitizens of Heavenโ€
Philippians 3:20-21 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Friday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time (Year II)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

What does it mean to live as a citizen of heaven in a world focused on earthly desires?

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many,

… Read the rest

From Aleph to Tav

โ€œFrom Aleph to Tavโ€
Mark 12:28-34 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Readings:

Deuteronomy 6:2-6 
Hebrews 7:23-28
Mark 12:28-34

Blueprint for Freedom

After the exodus from Egypt and its polytheistic culture, Moses leads the Israelites into the wilderness to begin a long journey of divine pedagogy and discipline.… Read the rest