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: Deuteronomy 6:2-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51
Second Reading: Hebrews 7:23-28
Gospel: Mark 12:28b-34
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:
- Often times we allow the things of this world to occupy our mind, our soul, and our strength—but these are firstly to be given to the Lord. What things threaten to remove God from being first in your life? How can you love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and strength this day?
- The second reading depicts Jesus as our eternal High Priest. Take this moment to pray for your parish priest(s) that he/they may be increasingly conformed to the heart of Christ, our High Priest.
- Jesus teaches that we ought to love our neighbor as ourselves. Who is one person in your life that you struggle to love well? Invite the Lord into your heart and allow Him to show you how to grow in love for that person.
Step 3: Conclude with a prayer of gratitude and ask the Lord to keep these Words in your heart.
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