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.
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord: February 2, 2025
First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10
Second Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18
Gospel: Luke 2:22-40
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:
- The first reading from the prophet Malachi speaks of a messenger who will “prepare the way” before the Lord. This is the verse cited in the Gospels to describe the ministry of St. John the Baptist. Malachi tells us that this messenger, John, will prepare a way for the LORD to come to the Temple—the very Temple which had been barren since the time of the exile. Consider all of the times that the Old Testament uses the name of God (“LORD” not “Lord”). What is Malachi teaching us about who Jesus is as he is revealed in this feast of the Presentation?
- In the Gospel account of the Presentation, Simeon beheld the child Jesus and sang, “for my eyes have seen your salvation.” Use this time to consider how you view the concept of your salvation? Do you view your salvation as something? Or, like Simeon, is your salvation someone?
Step 3: Conclude with a prayer of gratitude and ask the Lord to keep these Words in your heart.
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