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: Daniel 7:13-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 93:1, 1-2, 5
Second Reading: Revelation 1:5-8
Gospel: John 18:33b-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:
- At the end of the cycle of Ordinary Time and before a new liturgical year begins in Advent, the Church celebrates the Kingship of Jesus. Carefully read through this Sunday’s readings and note how the Scripture selections depict the kingship of Jesus. How does it compare with how you view Jesus? Where is the Lord calling you to expand how you understand the identity of Jesus, particularly as King?
- According to the Gospel passage and its surrounding passages (cf. John 18–19), how does Jesus make His kingship known to the world? What is His throne? What crown does He wear? How does this affect our understanding of true ‘kingship?’
- If Jesus is truly Lord and King of the Universe, then no power is greater than His. On this special Solemnity, bring to King Jesus all that weighs you down and all that you fear is too great to be conquered.
Step 3: Conclude with a prayer of gratitude and ask the Lord to keep these Words in your heart.
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