The Cost of Discipleship

Photo of snail and rose speaking the Shalom Snail couplet.
โ€œThe Cost of Discipleshipโ€
A reflection on Luke 14:25-33; 13:24
Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 by Gloria M. Chang

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, โ€œIf any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever

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You Have but One Father in Heaven

Photo of baby snail asleep in a rose with the Shalom Snail couplet printed above.
โ€œYou Have but One Father in Heavenโ€
Matthew 23:1-12 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, โ€œThe scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.

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From Affliction to Glory: Christโ€™s Redemptive Tapestry

Photo of snail on a rose speaking the Shalom Snail couplet.
โ€œSuffering With Christโ€
A reflection on Colossians 1:24-28
Sunday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church, of which I am a minister in accordance with Godโ€™s stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.

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I Have Called You By Name

Photo of a snail on a rose speaking the poetic couplet.
โ€œI Have Called You By Nameโ€
Isaiah 43:1 and Luke 10:20
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

The seventy[-two] returned rejoicing, and said, โ€œLord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.โ€ Jesus said, โ€œI have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold,

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Divine Winebibbers

A snail on a red rose reflect on Acts 2:1-13: "Mighty wind whispers / Mysteries in mystic tongue / Divine winebibbers".
โ€œDivine Winebibbersโ€
A reflection on Acts 2:1-13
Pentecost Sunday
ยฉ๏ธ2025 Gloria M. Chang

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then

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Lent, Day 37

A snail and a rosebush speak Isaiah 50:6: "I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who tore out my beard; My face I did not hide from insults and spitting."
โ€œLent, Day 37โ€
Isaiah 50:6 from the First Reading at Mass
Wednesday of Holy Week
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, โ€œHail, King of the Jews!โ€ They

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There is No Rose of Such Virtue

There is no rose of such virtue,  Mary, Mother of God, Shalom Snail
โ€œThere is No Rose of Such Virtueโ€
Traditional English Christmas Carol, c.1420
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

There is no rose of such virtue 
As is the rose that bare Jesu; 
Alleluia. 

For in this rose contained was 
Heaven and earth in little space; 
Res miranda. 

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Shalom for the World

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Shalom Snail, rose and snail
โ€œShalom for the Worldโ€
Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2024 Gloria M. Chang

Readings

Micah 5:1-4a
Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45

Jesus and Maryโ€™s โ€œYesโ€ to God

โ€œHe shall be peace (shalom),โ€ Micah declares to the Jews under Assyrian threat (Micah 5:4(5)).… Read the rest

Joy by Fire

Advent, Shalom Snail, Rejoice, Gaudete, Christ
โ€œJoy by Fireโ€
Third Sunday of Advent (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2024 Gloria M. Chang

Readings

Zephaniah 3:14-18a
Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:10-18

What Do You Want?

On Gaudete (โ€œRejoiceโ€) Sunday, halfway through Advent, God asks us, โ€œWhat do you want for Christmas?โ€… Read the rest