Opening the Word: The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (02/23/2025)

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.

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: February 23, 2025

First Reading: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13 

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:45-49

Gospel: Luke 6:27-38 

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:

1. In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus instructs us to love and pray for our enemies—that this would be the truly distinguishing mark of the Christian. Reflect back on the first reading, on the conflict between King Saul and the young David, and consider how David is presented here as a model in this reading as the one who loves his enemy? How does David treat Saul? Consider who that person might be in your life who the Lord is calling you to love more? 

2. A line from the responsorial psalm invites us to “forget not all his benefits.” We can so wrapped up in the present moment, or become so concerned with present trials, that often times we forget all that the Lord has done for us. Take time in this Sunday’s Mass to recall the moments in your life where you knew with confidence and conviction that Jesus is real, Jesus loves me, and Jesus desires my good. Use the gift of your memory this day to bless the Lord and recall how kind and merciful he has been to you.  

Step 3: Conclude with a prayer of gratitude and ask the Lord to keep these Words in your heart.