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: Numbers 11:25-29
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14
Second Reading: James 5:1-6
Gospel: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
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:
- How do this Sunday’s readings collectively inspire us toward Christian unity?
- Religious practice can often be viewed as ‘restrictive’ or ‘demanding.’ Consider, though, the Responsorial Psalm: “The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.” Read through Psalm 19 and reflect on how God desires your eternal good (see also CCC §1).
- Consider how the following notion resonates with Jesus’ teaching in the Gospel: “salvation is always personal, but it is never private.” How does Jesus call us to be responsible for not only our own holiness, but the holiness of others? Read §1868 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and reflect on how the Church guides us in our interactions with others.
Step 3: Conclude with a prayer of gratitude and ask the Lord to keep these Words in your heart.
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