The Cross and the Copper Serpent

Photo of snail and pink turtlehead speaking the Shalom Snail poem, "The Cross and the Copper Serpent."
โ€œThe Cross and the Copper Serpentโ€
A reflection on Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:13-17
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

First Reading

Numbers 21:4-9

From Mount Hor they set out by way of the Red Sea, to bypass the land of Edom, but the peopleโ€™s patience was worn out by the journey;ย so the people complainedย against God and Moses, โ€œWhy have you brought us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness, where there is no food or water?… Read the rest

Coals of Fire

โ€œCoals of Fireโ€
A reflection on Luke 6:27-36, Matthew 26:52, and Proverbs 25:21-22
Thursday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Luke 6:27-36

But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.… Read the rest

Whitewashed Tombs

Photo of snail and whiteswan coneflowers speaking the reflection on Matthew 23:27-32: "Whitewashed tombs full of dead men's bones! / Change your heart, for the whole earth groans."
โ€œWhitewashed Tombsโ€
A reflection on Matthew 23:27-32 and Romans 8:19-23
Wednesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 23:27-32

โ€œWoe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead menโ€™s bones and every kind of filth.ย … Read the rest

God’s Irrevocable Call

Photo of snail on a Persian shield with text overlay of the reflection on Romans 11 and Genesis 17: "God's promise to Abraham endures forever, / Through all generations to the last successor."
โ€œGodโ€™s Irrevocable Callโ€
A reflection on Romans 11:13-15, 29-32; Genesis 17:4-7
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32

Brothers and sisters: I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous and thus save some of them.… Read the rest

The Olive Tree of God

Photo of a snail on a pink zinnia speaking the poetic reflection on Romans 9:1-5: "The Root shall gather its branches someday, / Uniting Jews and Gentiles in Love's Way."
โ€œThe Olive Tree of Godโ€
A reflection on Romans 9:1-5; 11:23-24
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Romans 9:1-5 (ESV)

I am speaking the truth in Christโ€”I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spiritโ€”that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.… Read the rest

The Dogged Faith of a Canaanite

Photo of snail in a crabapple blossom tree with text overlay of the reflection on Matthew 15:21-28: "The dogged faith of a Canaanite / Obtained the feast of the Israelite."
โ€œThe Dogged Faith of a Canaaniteโ€
Matthew 15:21-28 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 15:21-28

Then Jesus went from that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.… Read the rest

Planetary Peace

โ€œPlanetary Peaceโ€
A reflection on Romans 8:18-23
Sunday of the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Second Reading

Romans 8:18-23

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.ย … Read the rest

Kinship With Christ

Photo of snail and rose speaking the couplet about kinship with Christ.
โ€œKinship With Christโ€
Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
A reflection on Mark 3:31-35
ยฉ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Kinship with Christ transcends blood: whoever does God’s will becomes his mother, brother, sister.ย 

The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house.

… Read the rest