A Mystery Hushed

โ€œA Mystery Hushedโ€
A reflection on Mark 9:2-13
Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
ยฉ2022 by Gloria M. Chang

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then

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Lamps in the Light

Fourth Week of Lent, Thursday

Exodus 32:7-14; John 5:31-47 

He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than Johnโ€™s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent meโ€ฆ For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me.

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This is My Beloved Son

โ€œThis is My Beloved Sonโ€
Gospel Acclamation from Matthew 17:5
Second Sunday of Lent
ยฉ๏ธ2021 by Gloria M. Chang

From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, pope

The Lord reveals his glory in the presence of chosen witnesses. His body is like that of the rest of mankind, but he makes it shine with such splendor that his face becomes like the sun in glory, and his garments as white as snow.… Read the rest

The Goldsmith’s Son

Candlemas, 11th century illuminated Byzantine manuscript (Menologion of Basil II)

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40

Out of Godโ€™s furnace
Adam emerged,
Shining like silver and gold. 
Light of the Godhead
Pure from his core
Robed him in Glory Threefold.… Read the rest

Soaring on Eagles’ Wings

Russian icon of the Crucifixion by Dionysius, ca. 1500, Tretiakov Gallery, Moscow

Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent

Isaiah 40:25-31; Matthew 11:28-30

In a world of constant change and becoming, faith in an immutably good, true, beautiful, and eternal God of Love is an anchor in the midst of crashing waves.… Read the rest

Beyond Contradiction

10th week in Ordinary Time, Friday

1 Kings 19:9-16, Psalm 27, Matthew 5:27-32

After a long, thunderous showdown with the prophets of Baal, ending with their destruction, Elijah was a prophet on the run from the wrath of Jezebel. The Lord listened to his complaints under a broom tree, fed him, and strengthened him for a long journey on foot to Mount Horeb.… Read the rest

Who is the Father?

Greek icon, The Mystical Supper

7th Week of Easter, Sunday

John 17:1-11a

โ€œNow glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began.โ€

The word โ€œgloryโ€ rings several times in this passage, evoking an unfamiliar and unworldly milieu.… Read the rest