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: Wisdom of Solomon 2:12, 17-20
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 54:3-4, 5, 6, 8
Second Reading: James 3:16–4:3
Gospel: Mark 9:30-37
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:
- Who is the true “just one” in the first reading? Re-read the passage, speaking the name of Jesus each time it refers to the “just one” (or “him” when it refers to the “just one”).
- Consider how the second reading from James, especially the second half (4:1-3), give clarification to the teaching of Jesus: “Ask and it will be given to you” (Matt 7:7; see also John 16:23).
- In the Gospel passage, the confusion and fear of the disciples resulted in distancing themselves from Jesus (compare v. 32 with v. 33). What fears or confusions are keeping you from Jesus? Try bringing them to Him today.
Step 3: Conclude with a prayer of gratitude and ask the Lord to keep these Words in your heart.
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