Your Grief Will Become Joy

Photo of baby snail on a rose with text of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Your Grief Will Become Joy."
โ€œYour Grief Will Become Joyโ€
A reflection on John 16:20-22
Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Sorrow is not the end; through Christ, anguish gives way to unshakable joy that no one can take away.

Gospel

John 16:20-22

Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.ย … Read the rest

My Shalom

A snail and camellia flowers speak John 14:27: "Shalom I leave with you; my shalom I give to you. Alleluia!"
โ€œMy Shalomโ€
John 14:27 from the Communion Antiphon
Monday of the Third Week of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my nameโ€”he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.

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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

Shalom Aleichem!

Photo of snail and camellia speaking to each other, "Shalom aleichem!" "Peace be with you!"
โ€œShalom Aleichem!โ€
John 20:19-31
Second Sunday of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, โ€œPeace be with you.โ€ When

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The Splendor of Christ

A snail and a camellia speak the Easter Octave Morning Antiphon: "The splendor of Christ risen from the dead has shone on the people redeemed by his blood. Alleluia!"
โ€œThe Splendor of Christโ€
Liturgy of the Hours, Easter Octave, Morning Prayer Antiphon 1
Friday within the Octave of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

For God, who said, โ€œLet light shine out of darkness,โ€ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

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Go to My Brothers

Two snails and a tulip outside a cave speak John 20:17: "Go to my brothers and tell them, I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."
โ€œGo to My Brothersโ€
John 20:17b
Tuesday within the Octave of Easter
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

โ€œI will be with you only a little while longer,
and then I will go to the one who sent me.

John 7:33

Go to my brothers and tell them,
I am going to my Father and your Father,
to my God and your God.

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Come and See

Two snails and a cave speak the Easter Vespers Antiphon: "Come and see the place where the Lord was buried. Alleluia!"
โ€œCome and Seeโ€
Monday within the Octave of Easter
Liturgy of the Hours, Easter Octave, Vespers Antiphon 2
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Come and see the empty tombโ€”He is risen! Alleluia!

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And

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The Sealed and Empty Tomb

Photo of snail and daffodils with text overlay of the couplet, "The Sealed and Empty Tomb."
โ€œThe Sealed and Empty Tombโ€
Easter Sunday
A reflection on Matthew 28:1-6 and John 20:19-20
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

The sealed and empty tomb proclaims: Christ rose intact, preserving seals as from the Virgin’s womb.

Matthew 28:1-6 (RSV)

Now after the sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulchre.ย … Read the rest

Lazarus, Come Out!

Photo of snail and daffodils speaking the couplet inspired by John 11:1-45: "Praying to his Father before the crowd, Jesus raised Lazarus wrapped in a shroud."
โ€œLazarus, Come Out!โ€
A reflection on John 11:1-45
Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Jesus wept in sorrow, then commanded with power: โ€œLazarus, come out!โ€

Gospel

John 11:1-45
The Death of Lazarus

Now a man was ill, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary… Read the rest