Temptation of Christ

Photo of snail and globe amaranth speaking the couplet about the Temptation of Christ.
โ€œTemptation of Christโ€
A reflection on Matthew 4:1-11
First Sunday of Lent (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

In the desert’s silence, Jesus confronted every human weaknessโ€”and conquered it with God’s living Word.

Gospel

Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He… Read the rest

Holy Preachers

Photo of snail and pansies speaking the Shalom Snail couplet about holy preachers from Mark 3:11-19.
โ€œHoly Preachersโ€
A reflection on Mark 3:11-19
Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Holy preachers, filled with the Holy Spirit, alone can truly proclaim โ€œJesus Christ is Lord.โ€

And whenever unclean spirits saw Jesus they would fall down before him and shout, โ€œYou are the Son of God.โ€ He

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Christ Draws the City

Photo of snail and pieris japonica speaking the Shalom Snail couplet about Christ's healing power.
โ€œChrist Draws the Cityโ€
Mark 1:32-34 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

The whole city gathered at Peter’s door, drawn by Christ’s healing power that silences demons and restores shalom.

On leaving the synagogue he entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simonโ€™s

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But Who Do You Say That I Am?

A snail and pear blossoms speak the Shalom Snail couplet, "But Who Do You Say That I Am?"
โ€œBut Who Do You Say That I Am?โ€
A reflection on Luke 9:18-22
Friday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Peterโ€™s confession of Christ shines as a pivotal moment in Luke 9:18-22, where he boldly declares Jesus as the Messiah amidst widespread speculation.… Read the rest

A Fishy Fee

Photo of a fisherman standing in a boat at sea with the Shalom Snail couplet printed.
โ€œA Fishy Feeโ€
A reflection on Matthew 17:24-27
Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Photo by Doni Haris (Pexels)
Poem ยฉ๏ธ2025 Gloria M. Chang

When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, โ€œDoesnโ€™t your teacher pay the temple tax?โ€

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Get Behind Me, Satan!

A photo of a snail on a hibiscus reflecting on the couplet, "Get behind me, Satan!"
โ€œGet behind me, Satan!โ€
Matthew 16:21-23 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, โ€œWho do people say that the Son of Man is?โ€

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Saints Peter and Paul: Nets in the Holy Sea

Two snails atop a rock overlooking a waterfall reflect on Saints Peter and Paul: "A fisherman and a Pharisee / Netted the world in the holy sea!"
โ€œSaints Peter and Paul: Nets in the Holy Seaโ€
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedeeโ€™s sons, and two others of his disciples.

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Feed My Lambs

A baby snail and white bleeding hearts reflect on John 21:15-19: Peter thrice vowed, โ€œI love thee.โ€ Jesus made a Shepherdโ€™s plea:  โ€œFeed my lambs and follow me.โ€
โ€œFeed My Lambsโ€
John 21:15-19 in a tercet
Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, โ€œSimon, son of John, do you love me more than these?โ€ He said to him, โ€œYes, Lord, you know that I love you.โ€

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Lord, to Whom Shall We Go?

โ€œLord, to Whom Shall We Go?โ€
John 6:68
Saturday of the Third Week of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Simon Peter said in reply, โ€œYou are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.โ€

Matthew 16:16

Lord, to whom shall we go?

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