The Mountain of the Lord, Day 1

Photo of two snails walking on a mossy path, speaking about the mountain of the Lord from the prophet Isaiah.
โ€œThe Mountain of the Lord, Day 1โ€
Isaiah 2:2a
ยฉ๏ธ2020 Gloria M. Chang

Vision of Paradise Amidst Destruction

โ€œYour country is waste, your cities burnt with fire,โ€ the prophet Isaiah rails in the opening chapter of his scroll (1:7a). Judah and Jerusalem are riddled with injustice, hypocrisy, murder, thievery, rebellion, and every sort of corruption.… Read the rest

Living Stones of the New Jerusalem

Photo of snail and roses speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Living Stones of the New Jerusalem."
โ€œLiving Stones of the New Jerusalemโ€
A reflection on Luke 21:5-19
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang Revised 2025

How will the living stones of the New Jerusalem arise from the templeโ€™s destruction?

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, he said, โ€œAll that you see hereโ€”the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.โ€

… Read the rest

Questions About the Kingdom of God

Photo of snail and pink asters with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "The kingdom of God is within you. Among you, Christ's love makes all things new."
โ€œQuestions About the Kingdom of Godโ€
A reflection on Luke 17:20-21
Thursday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he said in reply, โ€œThe coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, โ€˜Look, here it is,โ€™ or, โ€˜There it is.โ€™ For

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Blessed Banquet Guests

โ€œBlessed Banquet Guestsโ€
A reflection on Luke 14:7-14
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.

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The New Heaven and the New Earth

โ€œThe New Heaven and the New Earthโ€
Revelation 21:5a from the Second Reading at Mass
Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.ย 

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Lukewarm Laodicea

โ€œLukewarm Laodiceaโ€
A reflection on Revelation 3:14-22
Tuesday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time (Year II)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Click phonetics for the pronunciation of Laodicea.

“To the angel of the Church in Laodicea, write this:

โ€œโ€˜The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the source of Godโ€™s creation, says this: โ€œI know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot.

… Read the rest

The Fading Tower of Babel

โ€œThe Fading Tower of Babelโ€
A reflection on Genesis 11:1-9, Isaiah 2:2, Revelation, Psalm 87
ยฉ๏ธ2022 by Gloria M. Chang

The city of monolithic brick
Recedes before the mountain mystic.

The whole world had the same language and the same words.ย 

… Read the rest