Word Wide Open: The Second Sunday of Advent (A) - 12/4/22

First Reading (Isaiah 11:1-10)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,

and from his roots a bud shall blossom.

The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:

a spirit of wisdom and of understanding,

a spirit of counsel and of strength,

a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,

and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.

Not by appearance shall he judge,

nor by hearsay shall he decide,

but he shall judge the poor with justice,

and decide aright for the land's afflicted.

He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,

and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.

Justice shall be the band around his waist,

and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,

and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;

the calf and the young lion shall browse together,

with a little child to guide them.

The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,

together their young shall rest;

the lion shall eat hay like the ox.

The baby shall play by the cobra's den,

and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair.

There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;

for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,

as water covers the sea.

On that day, the root of Jesse,

set up as a signal for the nations,

the Gentiles shall seek out,

for his dwelling shall be glorious.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions:Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How does God provide justice? 

Second Reading (Romans 15:4-9)

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans. 

Brothers and sisters:

Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, 

that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures 

we might have hope.

May the God of endurance and encouragement 

grant you to think in harmony with one another, 

in keeping with Christ Jesus, 

that with one accord you may with one voice 

glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, 

for the glory of God.

For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised

to show God's truthfulness, 

to confirm the promises to the patriarchs, 

but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.

As it is written:

Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles

and sing praises to your name.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What is hope? How can we be more welcoming to others?

Gospel (Matthew 3:1-12)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea

and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"

It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:

A voice of one crying out in the desert,

Prepare the way of the Lord,

make straight his paths.

John wore clothing made of camel's hair 

and had a leather belt around his waist.

His food was locusts and wild honey.

At that time Jerusalem, all Judea,

and the whole region around the Jordan

were going out to him

and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River

as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees

coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers!

Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.

And do not presume to say to yourselves, 

'We have Abraham as our father.'

For I tell you, 

God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees.

Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit 

will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, 

but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.

I am not worthy to carry his sandals.

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

His winnowing fan is in his hand.

He will clear his threshing floor 

and gather his wheat into his barn, 

but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? What does true repentance look like? How do we know that we bear good fruit? What does it mean to be baptized by the Holy Spirit?

Word Wide Open: The First Sunday of Advent (A) - 11/27/22

First Reading (Isaiah 2:1-5)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz,

saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

In days to come,

the mountain of the LORD's house

shall be established as the highest mountain

and raised above the hills.

All nations shall stream toward it;

many peoples shall come and say:

"Come, let us climb the LORD's mountain,

to the house of the God of Jacob,

that he may instruct us in his ways,

and we may walk in his paths."

For from Zion shall go forth instruction,

and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

He shall judge between the nations,

and impose terms on many peoples.

They shall beat their swords into plowshares

and their spears into pruning hooks;

one nation shall not raise the sword against another,

nor shall they train for war again.

O house of Jacob, come,

let us walk in the light of the Lord!

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What is the word of the Lord? How does the Lord bring about peace in the world?

Second Reading (Romans 13:11-14)

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans. 

Brothers and sisters:

You know the time;

it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.

For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;

the night is advanced, the day is at hand.

Let us then throw off the works of darkness

and put on the armor of light;

let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day,

not in orgies and drunkenness,

not in promiscuity and lust,

not in rivalry and jealousy.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,

and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? In what ways have we fallen asleep? What is the armor of light?

Gospel (Matthew 24:37-44)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Jesus said to his disciples:

"As it was in the days of Noah,

so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

In those days before the flood,

they were eating and drinking,

marrying and giving in marriage,

up to the day that Noah entered the ark.

They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.

So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.

Two men will be out in the field;

one will be taken, and one will be left. 

Two women will be grinding at the mill;

one will be taken, and one will be left. 

Therefore, stay awake!

For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. 

Be sure of this: if the master of the house

had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,

he would have stayed awake

and not let his house be broken into.

So too, you also must be prepared,

for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? Why is one person being left behind? How do we prepare for the Lord’s coming? Why is Jesus’ coming unexpected?

Word Wide Open: The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (C) - 11/20/22

First Reading (1 Samuel 5:1-3)

A reading from the First Book of Samuel

In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said:

"Here we are, your bone and your flesh. 

In days past, when Saul was our king,

it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back. 

And the LORD said to you,

'You shall shepherd my people Israel

and shall be commander of Israel.'" 

When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron,

King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD,

and they anointed him king of Israel.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What does a good shepherd do for his flock?

Second Reading (Colossians 1:12-20)

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians. 

Brothers and sisters:

Let us give thanks to the Father,

who has made you fit to share

in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. 

He delivered us from the power of darkness

and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of all creation.

For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,

the visible and the invisible,

whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;

all things were created through him and for him.

He is before all things,

and in him all things hold together.

He is the head of the body, the church.

He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,

that in all things he himself might be preeminent.

For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,

and through him to reconcile all things for him,

making peace by the blood of his cross

through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What is our inheritance with the holy ones? How does the blood of the cross bring about peace?

Gospel (Luke 23:35-43)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said,

"He saved others, let him save himself

if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." 

Even the soldiers jeered at him. 

As they approached to offer him wine they called out,

"If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." 

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,

"Are you not the Christ?

Save yourself and us." 

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

"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."

Then he said,

"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

He replied to him,

"Amen, I say to you,

today you will be with me in Paradise."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? What does it mean that Jesus is the king of the universe? Why are we not condemned for our sins? What is Jesus’s kingdom?

Word Wide Open: The Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) - 11/13/22

First Reading (Malachi 3:19-20a)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Malachi.

Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven,

 when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble,

 and the day that is coming will set them on fire,

 leaving them neither root nor branch,

 says the LORD of hosts.

 But for you who fear my name, there will arise

 the sun of justice with its healing rays.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why is pride such a harmful sin? Why do you think we have this reading at this time of year?

Second Reading (2 Thessalonians 3:7-12)

A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians. 

Brothers and sisters:

You know how one must imitate us. 

For we did not act in a disorderly way among you,

nor did we eat food received free from anyone. 

On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day

we worked, so as not to burden any of you. 

Not that we do not have the right. 

Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you,

so that you might imitate us. 

In fact, when we were with you,

we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work,

neither should that one eat.

We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a

disorderly way,

by not keeping busy but minding the business of others. 

Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly 

and to eat their own food.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How can our faith encourage us? How does God protect us from the evil one?

Gospel (Luke 20:27, 34-38)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

While some people were speaking about

how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,

Jesus said, "All that you see here--

the days will come when there will not be left

a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."

Then they asked him,

"Teacher, when will this happen?

And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?" 

He answered,

"See that you not be deceived,

for many will come in my name, saying,

'I am he,' and 'The time has come.'

Do not follow them! 

When you hear of wars and insurrections,

do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,

but it will not immediately be the end." 

Then he said to them,

"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 

There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues

from place to place;

and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.

"Before all this happens, however,

they will seize and persecute you,

they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,

and they will have you led before kings and governors

because of my name. 

It will lead to your giving testimony. 

Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,

for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking

that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. 

You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends,

and they will put some of you to death. 

You will be hated by all because of my name,

but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.

By your perseverance you will secure your lives."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? Who are the false prophets we follow? Why is it so easy to worry about the events in our world today? Why will they hate us because of His name?

Word Wide Open: The Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) - 11/6/22

First Reading (2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-4)

A reading from the Second Book of Maccabees.

It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested

and tortured with whips and scourges by the king,

to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law. 

One of the brothers, speaking for the others, said:

"What do you expect to achieve by questioning us? 

We are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors."

At the point of death he said:

"You accursed fiend, you are depriving us of this present life,

but the King of the world will raise us up to live again forever. 

It is for his laws that we are dying."

After him the third suffered their cruel sport.

He put out his tongue at once when told to do so,

and bravely held out his hands, as he spoke these noble words:

"It was from Heaven that I received these;

for the sake of his laws I disdain them;

from him I hope to receive them again."

Even the king and his attendants marveled at the young man's courage,

because he regarded his sufferings as nothing.

After he had died,

they tortured and maltreated the fourth brother in the same way. 

When he was near death, he said,

"It is my choice to die at the hands of men

with the hope God gives of being raised up by him;

but for you, there will be no resurrection to life."

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? In what ways are Christians persecuted today? How can we be more like those martyred for the faith?

Second Reading (2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5)

A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians. 

Brothers and sisters:

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,

who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement

and good hope through his grace,

encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed

and word.

Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us,

so that the word of the Lord may speed forward and be glorified,

as it did among you,

and that we may be delivered from perverse and wicked people,

for not all have faith.

But the Lord is faithful;

he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 

We are confident of you in the Lord that what we instruct you,

you are doing and will continue to do. 

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God

and to the endurance of Christ.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How can our faith encourage us? How does God protect us from the evil one?

Gospel (Luke 20:27, 34-38)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection,

came forward and put this question to Jesus, saying,

"Teacher, Moses wrote for us,

If someone's brother dies leaving a wife but no child,

his brother must take the wife

and raise up descendants for his brother.

Now there were seven brothers;

the first married a woman but died childless.

Then the second and the third married her,

and likewise all the seven died childless. 

Finally the woman also died. 

Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be?

For all seven had been married to her."

Jesus said to them,

"The children of this age marry and remarry;

but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age

and to the resurrection of the dead

neither marry nor are given in marriage.

They can no longer die,

for they are like angels;

and they are the children of God

because they are the ones who will rise. 

That the dead will rise

even Moses made known in the passage about the bush,

when he called out 'Lord, '

the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;

and he is not God of the dead, but of the living,

for to him all are alive." 

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? How do we test God in our own lives? Why do our prior relationships not matter in heaven? What does it mean that God is a the god of the living?