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

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

Saints Peter and Paul: Nets in the Holy Sea

Two snails atop a rock overlooking a waterfall reflect on Saints Peter and Paul: "A fisherman and a Pharisee / Netted the world in the holy sea!"
โ€œSaints Peter and Paul: Nets in the Holy Seaโ€
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedeeโ€™s sons, and two others of his disciples.

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Saint Barnabas, Apostle

Photo of a baby snail riding an full-grown snail with text overlay of the couplet: "Spirit-filled Barnabas vouched for Paul, / Mentored John Mark and nurtured his call."
โ€œSaint Barnabas, Apostleโ€
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Champion of Paul

One of the best-loved characteristics of St. Barnabas is his gift of drawing out the God-given potential in others. Named Joseph at birth, the Levite from Cyprus became known as โ€œBarnabas,โ€ which means โ€œson of encouragementโ€ or โ€œson of consolationโ€ (Acts 4:36). … Read the rest

The Beatitudes of Christ

Photo of tulips speaking the couplet, "The Beatitudes of Christ."
โ€œThe Beatitudes of Christโ€
A reflection on Matthew 5:1-12a
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
ยฉ2023 Gloria M. Chang

Discover the beatitudes of Christ: Jesus’ upside-down blueprint for true blessedness and sanctity.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

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Saint Stephen the Protomartyr

โ€œSaint Stephen the Protomartyrโ€
A reflection on Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. 

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Paul’s Swan Song

Photo of snail and dahlia with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Paul's Swan Song."
โ€œPaulโ€™s Swan Songโ€
2 Timothy 4:6 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
ยฉ๏ธ2022 Gloria M. Chang

How does Paulโ€™s Swan Song reveal the heart of a disciple ready to meet his Lord face to face?

For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. 

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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.

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Saint Luke, Evangelist

Photo of two snails on hydrangea with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Saint Luke, Evangelist."
โ€œSaint Luke, Evangelistโ€
2 Timothy 4:10-17 โ€œin a snailshellโ€
ยฉ๏ธ2021 Gloria M. Chang

Saint Luke, who stood by Paul in his darkest hours, teaches us the true meaning of friendship.

Beloved: Demas, enamored of the present world, deserted me and went to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

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