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: Micah 5:1-4a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10
Gospel: Luke 1:39-45
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:
- According to the prophet Micah, the Christ child was prophesied to be born in the town of Bethlehem, meaning “house of bread.” How does even the name of Jesus’ birthplace reveal His identity and salvific plan?
- After reading the Gospel passage, turn and read the account of King David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:2-15). What parallels do you notice in the two accounts? What do those similarities teach us about Mary?
- Only two other women, besides Mary, are praised as “blessed among women.” Can you find who they are and why each is given this title of praise? How does this also contribute to our understanding of Mary and her role in God’s plan of salvation?
Step 3: Conclude with a prayer of gratitude and ask the Lord to keep these Words in your heart.
Leave a Reply