Word Wide Open: The Third Sunday of Easter (C) - 5/1/22

 

First Reading (Acts 5:27-35, 40b-41)

A reading from the Book of Exodus.

When the captain and the court officers had brought the apostles in

and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,

the high priest questioned them,

“We gave you strict orders, did we not,

to stop teaching in that name?

Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching

and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.”

But Peter and the apostles said in reply,

“We must obey God rather than men.

The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,

though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.

God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior

to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.

We are witnesses of these things,

as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

The Sanhedrin ordered the apostles

to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.

So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,

rejoicing that they had been found worthy

to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? When should we obey God over other influences? 

Second Reading (Revelation 5:11-14)

A reading from the Book of Revelation.

I, John, looked and heard the voices of many angels

who surrounded the throne

and the living creatures and the elders.

They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice:

            “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

                        to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength,

                        honor and glory and blessing.”

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth

and under the earth and in the sea,

everything in the universe, cry out:

            “To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

                        be blessing and honor, glory and might,

                        forever and ever.”

The four living creatures answered, “Amen, “

and the elders fell down and worshiped.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why is the symbol of a lamb so important in scripture? How does all of creation reveal God's glory?

Gospel (John 13:1-15)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.

He revealed himself in this way.

Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,

Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,

Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples.

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”

They said to him, “We also will come with you.”

So they went out and got into the boat,

but that night they caught nothing.

When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;

but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”

They answered him, “No.”

So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat

and you will find something.”

So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in

because of the number of fish.

So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,

he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,

and jumped into the sea.

The other disciples came in the boat,

for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,

dragging the net with the fish.

When they climbed out on shore,

they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”

So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore

full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.

Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.

Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”

And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?”

because they realized it was the Lord.

Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,

and in like manner the fish.

This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples

after being raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,

“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

He then said to Simon Peter a second time,

“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

Jesus said to him the third time,

“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time,

“Do you love me?” and he said to him,

“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,

you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;

but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,

and someone else will dress you

and lead you where you do not want to go.”

He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.

And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

 

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? Why did they not recognize Jesus? What are the questions Jesus asks Peter about? What does following Jesus entail?

Word Wide Open: Sunday of Divine Mercy (C) - 4/24/22

First Reading (Acts 5:12-16)

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Many signs and wonders were done among the people

at the hands of the apostles.

They were all together in Solomon’s portico.

None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them.

Yet more than ever, believers in the Lord,

great numbers of men and women, were added to them.

Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets

and laid them on cots and mats

so that when Peter came by,

at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them.

A large number of people from the towns

in the vicinity of Jerusalem also gathered,

bringing the sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits,

and they were all cured.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What are the signs that are performed today?

Second Reading (Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19)

A reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

I, John, your brother, who share with you

the distress, the kingdom, and the endurance we have in Jesus,

found myself on the island called Patmos

because I proclaimed God’s word and gave testimony to Jesus.

I was caught up in spirit on the Lord’s day

and heard behind me a voice as loud as a trumpet, which said,

“Write on a scroll what you see.”

Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me,

and when I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands

and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man,

wearing an ankle-length robe, with a gold sash around his chest.

When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though dead.

He touched me with his right hand and said, “Do not be afraid.

I am the first and the last, the one who lives.

Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever.

I hold the keys to death and the netherworld.

Write down, therefore, what you have seen,

and what is happening, and what will happen afterwards.”

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why is it important for us to share our testimony? What do the lampstands symbolize?

Gospel (John 20:19-31)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

On the evening of that first day of the week,

when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,

for fear of the Jews,

Jesus came and stood in their midst

and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.

As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,

“Receive the Holy Spirit.

Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,

and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,

was not with them when Jesus came.

So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

But he said to them,

“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands

and put my finger into the nailmarks

and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside

and Thomas was with them.

Jesus came, although the doors were locked,

and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,

and bring your hand and put it into my side,

and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples

that are not written in this book.

But these are written that you may come to believe

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,

and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

 

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? What sacraments does Jesus establish in this readings? What should we do when we have doubts about the faith? Why do so many people give up on faith? 

Word Wide Open: Mass of the Lord's Supper (C) - 4/14/22

 

First Reading (Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14)

A reading from the Book of Exodus.

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt,

“This month shall stand at the head of your calendar;

you shall reckon it the first month of the year.

Tell the whole community of Israel:

On the tenth of this month every one of your families

must procure for itself a lamb, one apiece for each household.

If a family is too small for a whole lamb,

it shall join the nearest household in procuring one

and shall share in the lamb

in proportion to the number of persons who partake of it.

The lamb must be a year-old male and without blemish.

You may take it from either the sheep or the goats.

You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month,

and then, with the whole assembly of Israel present,

it shall be slaughtered during the evening twilight.

They shall take some of its blood

and apply it to the two doorposts and the lintel

of every house in which they partake of the lamb.

That same night they shall eat its roasted flesh

with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

“This is how you are to eat it:

with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand,

you shall eat like those who are in flight.

It is the Passover of the LORD.

For on this same night I will go through Egypt,

striking down every firstborn of the land, both man and beast,

and executing judgment on all the gods of Egypt—I, the LORD!

But the blood will mark the houses where you are.

Seeing the blood, I will pass over you;

thus, when I strike the land of Egypt,

no destructive blow will come upon you.

“This day shall be a memorial feast for you,

which all your generations shall celebrate

with pilgrimage to the LORD, as a perpetual institution.”

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What does the Passover teach us about the Mass? How does Jesus transform and fulfill the Passover?

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

A reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

Brothers and sisters:

I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you,

that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over,

took bread, and, after he had given thanks,

broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you.

Do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying,

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood.

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,

you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What is so important about what Paul is saying in this reading?

Gospel (John 13:1-15)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come

to pass from this world to the Father.

He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.

The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over.

So, during supper,

fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power

and that he had come from God and was returning to God,

he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.

He took a towel and tied it around his waist.

Then he poured water into a basin

and began to wash the disciples’ feet

and dry them with the towel around his waist.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,

“Master, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus answered and said to him,

“What I am doing, you do not understand now,

but you will understand later.”

Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered him,

“Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”

Simon Peter said to him,

“Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.”

Jesus said to him,

“Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed,

            for he is clean all over;

so you are clean, but not all.”

For he knew who would betray him;

for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

So when he had washed their feet

and put his garments back on and reclined at table again,

he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?

You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’  and rightly so, for indeed I am.

If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,

you ought to wash one another’s feet.

I have given you a model to follow,

so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

 

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? Why does Jesus wash the disciples feet? What is the inheritance Christ leaves us? What does washing people's feet look like today for us? 

Word Wide Open: The Passion of the Lord (C)

 

The Passion of the Lord (Luke 22:14-23:56) 

N - Narrator + - Christ V - Voice C - Crowd 

N The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them, 

+ “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 

N Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said: 

+ “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you that from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 

N Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them saying, 

+ “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” 

N And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying:

+ “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you. And yet behold, the hand of the one who is to betray me is with me on the table; for the Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed.” 

N And they began to debate among themselves who among them would do such a deed. Then an argument broke out among them about which of them should be regarded as the greatest. He said to them, 

+ “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as ‘Benefactors’: but among you it shall not be so. Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. For who is the greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one seated at table? I am among you as the one who serves. It is you who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.” 

N He said to him, 

V “Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you.” 

N But he replied,  

+ “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day, you will deny three times that you know me.” 

N He said to them, 

+ “When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?” 

C “No, nothing.” 

N they replied. He said to them, 

+ “But now one who as a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture, must be fulfilled in me, namely, He was counted among the wicked; and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment.” 

N Then they said: 

C “Lord, look, there are two swords here.” 

N But he replied, 

+ “It is enough!” 

What stuck out to you from the first portion of the passion? What does Jesus teach us in the Last Supper?

N Then going out, he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived at the place he said to them, 

+ “Pray that you may not undergo the test.” 

N After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, saying, 

+ “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.” 

N And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief. He said to them, 

+ “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test.” 

N While he was still speaking, a crowd approached and in front was one of the Twelve, a man named Judas. He went up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said to him, 

+ “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 

N His disciples realized what was about to happen, and they asked, 

C “Lord, shall we strike with a sword?” 

N And one of them struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said in reply, 

+ “Stop, no more of this!” 

N Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests and temple guards and elders who had come for him, 

+ “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? Day after day I was with you in the temple area, and you did not seize me; but this is your hour, the time for the power of darkness.”

N After arresting him they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest; Peter was following at a distance. They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter sat down with them. When a maid saw him seated in the light, she looked intently at him and said, 

V “This man too was with him.” 

N But he denied it, saying, 

V “Woman, I do not know him.” 

N A short while later someone else saw him and said, 

V “You too are one of them;” 

N but Peter answered, 

V “My friend, I am not.” 

N About an hour later, still another insisted, 

V “Assuredly, this man too was with him, for he also is a Galilean.” 

N But Peter said, 

V “My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.” 

N Just as he was saying this, the cock crowed, and the Lord turned and looked at Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly. The men who held Jesus in custody were ridiculing and beating him. They blindfolded him and questioned him saying, 

C “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” 

N And they reviled him in saying many other things against him. When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, 

C “If you are the Christ, tell us,” 

N but he replied to them, 

+ “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 

N They all asked, 

C “Are you then the Son of God?” 

N He replied to them, 

+ “You say that I am.” 

N Then they said, 

C “What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth.” 

N Then the whole assembly of them arose and brought him before Pilate. They brought charges against him, saying, 

C “We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Casear and maintains that he is the Christ, a king.” 

N Pilate asked him, 

V “Are you the king of the Jews?” 

N He said to him in reply, 

+ “You say so.” 

N Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, 

V “I find this man not guilty.” 

N But they were adamant and said, 

C “He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here.” 

N On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; and upon learning that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer. The chief priests and scribes, mean while, stood by accusing him harshly. Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate, became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly.  Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, and said to them: 

V “You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” 

N But all together they shouted out: 

C “Away with this man! Release Barabbas for us!” 

N Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder. Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus, but they continued their shouting, 

C “Crucify him! Crucify him!” 

N Pilate addressed them a third time, 

V “What evil has this man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” 

N With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished. As they led him away they took hold of a certain one Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said: 

+ “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ At that time people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood, is green what will happen when it is dry?” 

What stuck out to you from this portion of the passion? Why is it so easy for us to deny Jesus in our lives? Why did the crowd want to kill Jesus?

N Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, 

+ “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” 

N They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, 

C “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” 

N Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, 

C “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” 

N Above him there was an inscription that read, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus saying, 

V “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” 

N The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, 

V “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” 

N Then he said, 

V “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 

N He replied to him, 

+ “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” 

N It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 

+ “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; 

N and when he had said this he breathed his last. 

(all kneel here, and pause for a short time) 

N The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, 

V “This man was innocent beyond doubt.” 

N When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts; but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events. Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, had not consented to their plan of action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea and was awaiting the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rockhewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried. It was the day of preparation, and the sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come from Galilee with him followed behind, and when they had seen the tomb and the way in which his body was laid in it, they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils. Then they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. 

The Gospel of the Lord. 

What stuck out to you from this portion of the passion? Why did Jesus not take Himself off the cross?