Opening the Word: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (11/17/2024)

Opening the Word is a series of prompts from The Emmaus Institute for Biblical Studies to help focus our minds and hearts on the Sunday Mass Readings. After Jesus revealed Himself to the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus, they said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:32). Our Lord desires to enflame our hearts also by revealing Himself to us in His Word. Take this opportunity to pause, and allow the Lord to make Himself known to you through the opening of the Scriptures which will ready your eyes to see Him in the breaking of the bread.

First Reading: Daniel 12:1-3
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11 
Second Reading: Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
Gospel: Mark 13:24-32

Step 1: Begin in prayer, asking the Lord to open your heart to receive how He wants to make Himself known to you. Then, attentively read the Scriptures. 

Step 2: Consider these meditation prompts that follow from the readings:

1. The first reading depicts a time of tribulation for God’s people—but notice how the final verse describes the wise and righteous: both shall shine brilliantly, “like the stars forever” (Dan 12:3). Who does this depiction ultimately reveal? Who is the One who brings us true light and wisdom, even when we are entangled in sin or trial? Ask Jesus where He can bring His light and wisdom into your trials today. Pray in gratitude with the psalmist, “You will show me the path to life” (Ps 16:11).  
2. This Gospel passage uses vivid biblical and apocalyptic imagery to depict the coming of the Son of Man and the revelation of his glory. Consider, though, how these images might not point to the end of time (at least only), but to the Cross of Christ: When in the Gospel do we read that the sun was darkened (cf. Matt 27:45)? When or how was Jesus’ “glory” truly revealed (cf. John 12:23)? When or how would Jesus “gather his elect” (Mark 13:27), or “draw all people” to Himself (cf. John 12:32)? All of this invites us to consider the fundamental question: how are all things contained and fulfilled in the Cross of Jesus Christ? 

Step 3: Conclude with a prayer of gratitude and ask the Lord to keep these Words in your heart.