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

No Marriage in Heaven?

Photo of three roses facing the sun with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "No Marriage in Heaven?"
โ€œNo Marriage in Heaven?โ€
A reflection on Luke 20:27-36
Saturday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2024 Gloria M. Chang

Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward 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€™

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From Abel to Zechariah

Photo of a snail and purple coneflowers with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "From Abel to Zechariah."
โ€œFrom Abel to Zechariahโ€
Luke 11:47-54 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

How does the blood of Abel to Zechariah lead us back to God to accept the redemption offered by Christ?… Read the rest

Resurrection Party

Two seagulls walking toward a beach shore speak the couplet: "Jesus Christ is ris'n from the dead! With heav'nly food, the Church is fed" (a reflection on John 21:1-14).
โ€œResurrection Partyโ€
A reflection on John 21:1-14
Third Sunday of Easter (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2025 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. Simon

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Christ is Risen

A snail on daffodils with the message: Christ is risen, alleluia!
โ€œChrist is Risenโ€
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang


Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…

1 Peter 1:3-4

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Lent, Day 25

Lent Day 25, Shalom Snail
โ€œLent, Day 25โ€
John 11:25 from which the Gospel Acclamation is adapted
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at last he will stand upon the earth;
and after my skin has been thus destroyed,
then from my flesh I shall see God.

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