The Rich Young Man

Snail and coleus speaking the couplet about the Rich Young Man. The coleus says, "Why is our rich young friend sad today?" The snail answers, "He's torn between wealth and the poor Christ's way."
โ€œThe Rich Young Manโ€
Matthew 19:16-22 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 19:16-22

Now someone approached him and said, โ€œTeacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?โ€ He answered him, โ€œWhy do you ask me about the good?… 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 Woman and the Dragon

Photo of snail on a dahlia with text overlay of the poetic reflection on the Assumption from the First Reading at Mass: "O Woman clothed with the sun and crowned with twelve stars, / Eclipse the red dragon and prevail in our wars."
โ€œThe Woman and the Dragonโ€
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

First Reading

Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab

Godโ€™s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.ย … Read the rest

One, Two, Three… Return to Trinity!

Photo of snail on a zinnia under a cloudy sky with text overlay of the reflection on Matthew 19:3-12: "In the beginning when all was one, / Adam was breathed through the Word, God's Son."
โ€œOne, two, threeโ€ฆ Return to Trinity!โ€
A reflection on Matthew 19:3-12
Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 19:3-12

Some Pharisees approached him, and tested him, saying, โ€œIs it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?โ€… Read the rest

Seventy-Seven Times Forgive

Photo of snail on a goldenrain tree. speaking the Shalom Snail couplet.
โ€œSeventy-Seven Times Forgiveโ€
Matthew 18:21-35 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 18:21-35

Then Peter approaching asked him, โ€œLord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?… Read the rest

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.

Read the rest

The Good Shepherd

Photo of a baby snail on the back of an adult snail walking on a hydrangea with text overlay of the reflection on Matthew 18:12-14: "Little Lamb, lay on my shoulder / As we cross o'er barbs and boulder."
โ€œThe Good Shepherdโ€
Matthew 18:12-14 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 18:12-14

What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?ย … Read the rest

Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

Photo of snail and wheatlike grass with text overlay of the couplet reflecting on John 12:24-26: "Life dormant in a grain of wheat / Won't waken til it's broken seed."
โ€œUnless a grain of wheatโ€
John 12:24-26 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

John 12:24-26

Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.… 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

A Mustard Seed of Faith

Photo of a snail on a blue mistflower speaking the couplet reflecting on Matthew 17:14-20: "With a mustard seed of faith and trust, Mountains move and demons bust."
โ€œA Mustard Seed of Faithโ€
Matthew 17:14-20 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Saturday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Gospel

Matthew 17:14-20

When they came to the crowd a man approached, knelt down before him, and said, โ€œLord, have pity on my son, for he is a lunatic and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often into water.… Read the rest