Paul’s Swan Song

Photo of snail and dahlia with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Paul's Swan Song."
โ€œPaulโ€™s Swan Songโ€
2 Timothy 4:6 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

How does Paulโ€™s Swan Song reveal the heart of a disciple ready to meet his Lord face to face?

For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. 

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Joy by Fire

Advent, Shalom Snail, Rejoice, Gaudete, Christ
โ€œJoy by Fireโ€
Third Sunday of Advent (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2024 Gloria M. Chang

Readings

Zephaniah 3:14-18a
Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:10-18

What Do You Want?

On Gaudete (โ€œRejoiceโ€) Sunday, halfway through Advent, God asks us, โ€œWhat do you want for Christmas?โ€… Read the rest

God Never Gives Up

God Never Gives Up, Shalom Snail, Advent
โ€œGod Never Gives Upโ€
Second Sunday of Advent (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2024 Gloria M. Chang

Readings

Baruch 5:1-9
Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Luke 3:1-6

The Promised Land

Israelโ€™s exodus from Egyptian slavery into the Promised Land of โ€œmilk and honeyโ€ epitomizes humanityโ€™s exodus from sin into the Promised Land of transfigured holiness.… 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,

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Triumph of the Cross

โ€œTriumph of the Crossโ€
A reflection on Philippians 2:5-11
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
ยฉ๏ธ2024 Gloria M. Chang

Brothers and sisters:
Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,
Who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. 

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