Between You and Him Alone

Two snails amid roses speaking humorously to illustrate the point of Matthew 18:15-20. The first snail says, "Shallom my friend! I've noticed you've slowed to a crawl." The second snail responds, "Thanks for telling me sub rosa and not before all."
โ€œBetween You and Him Aloneโ€
Mathew 18:15-20 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Wednesday of the of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

โ€œIf your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.

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Transfigured in Light

Photo of snail and roses against a bright, white background with text overlay of the poetic reflection on Matthew 17:1-9 and Exodus 34:29: "Transfigured in light and set ablaze, Jesus the new Moses, sent out rays."
โ€œTransfigured in Lightโ€
A reflection on Matthew 17:1-9 and Exodus 34:29
Solemnity of the Transfiguration of the Lord (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 17:1-9

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.… Read the rest

What Does Rest Look Like?

โ€œMy Yoke Is Easyโ€
Matthew 11:28-30 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang (Revised in 2024)

Gospel

Matthew 11:28-30

โ€œCome to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.… Read the rest

Mysteries Revealed to Babes

Photo of snail and roses speaking the couplet inspired by Matthew 11:25-27: "Thank you, Father, for opening our eyesโ€”Wee little ones, neither clever nor wise."
โ€œMysteries Revealed to Babesโ€
Inspired by Matthew 11:25-27
Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 11:25-27

At that time Jesus said in reply, โ€œI give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.… Read the rest

Like Sparrows

โ€œLike Sparrowsโ€
A reflection on Matthew 10:29-31
Sunday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 10:29-31 (ESV)

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?ย And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.ย … Read the rest

On Eagles’ Wings

Photo of snail and rose with text overlay of the couplet, "On eagles' wings, I bore you here / To be my own, a people dear."
โ€œOn Eaglesโ€™ Wingsโ€
A reflection on Exodus 19:2-6a
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

From Egyptian slavery to Godโ€™s holy nationโ€”borne on eaglesโ€™ wings

First Reading

Exodus 19:2-6a

After they made the journey from Rephidim and entered the wilderness of Sinai, they then pitched camp in the wilderness.… Read the rest

Let Us Love One Another in God

Photo of snail and rose speaking the couplet, "Let us love one another in God for this is the Kingdom of God."
โ€œLet Us Love One Another in Godโ€
Mark 12:28-34 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Mark 12:28-34

One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked him, โ€œWhich is the first of all the commandments?โ€… Read the rest

Crushed Like Grapes

Photo of snail and roses speaking the couplet about Mark 12:1-12, "On grapes, the Lord hired farmers to tread. / But his Son they crushed into wine and bread."
โ€œCrushed Like Grapesโ€
A reflection on Mark 12:1-12
Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2023 Gloria M. Chang

The beloved Son was crushed like grapes to become the wine that saves us.

The Parable of the Tenants

Gospel

Mark 12:1-12

He began to speak to them in parables.ย … Read the rest

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