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

Read the rest

Israel’s Universal Banquet

Photo of snail and wild flowers with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Israel's Universal Banquet."
โ€œIsraelโ€™s Universal Banquetโ€
A reflection on Luke 14:15-24
Tuesday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2024 Gloria M. Chang

How does Israel’s universal banquet invite everyone to God’s table of grace?

One of those at table with Jesus said to him, โ€œBlessed is the one who will dine in the kingdom of God.โ€

Read the rest

Solidarity

Photo of snail and rio speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Solidarity."
โ€œSolidarityโ€
A reflection on Luke 13:1-5
Friday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

How does Jesusโ€™ call to be transformed in the face of tragedy challenge us to embrace solidarity with all of humanity?

Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.

Read the rest

Praying with the Son

Photo of snail, tulips, and daffodils with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Praying with the Son."
โ€œPraying With the Sonโ€
A reflection on Luke 11:1-4 and Romans 8:14-17
Wednesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Praying with the Son, we embrace our identity as beloved children of God, joining Jesus in the Our Father to address our heavenly Father as โ€œAbba.โ€… Read the rest

Treading on Serpents

Photo of snail and cardoon with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Treading on Serpents."
โ€œTreading on Serpentsโ€
A reflection on Luke 10:17-20; Genesis 3:15; Romans 8:16-17
Saturday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Christ empowers his followers with divine authority, treading on serpents and overcoming evil, as heirs with him in the victory of the Cross.… Read the rest

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

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; so the people complained 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