Word Wide Open: The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) - 2/16/25

First Reading (Jeremiah 17:5-8)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah.

Thus says the LORD:

            Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings,

                        who seeks his strength in flesh,

                        whose heart turns away from the LORD.

            He is like a barren bush in the desert

                        that enjoys no change of season,

            but stands in a lava waste,

                        a salt and empty earth.

            Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,

                        whose hope is the LORD.

            He is like a tree planted beside the waters

                        that stretches out its roots to the stream:

            it fears not the heat when it comes;

                        its leaves stay green;

            in the year of drought it shows no distress,

                        but still bears fruit.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What is the problem with trusting human beings?

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20)

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

Brothers and sisters:

If Christ is preached as raised from the dead,

how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead?

If the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised,

and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain;

you are still in your sins.

Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

If for this life only we have hoped in Christ,

we are the most pitiable people of all.

But now Christ has been raised from the dead,

the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why is the resurrection such an important part of our faith?

Gospel (Luke 6:17, 20-26)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

Jesus came down with the Twelve

and stood on a stretch of level ground

with a great crowd of his disciples

and a large number of the people

from all Judea and Jerusalem

and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon.

And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said:

            “Blessed are you who are poor,

                        for the kingdom of God is yours.

            Blessed are you who are now hungry,

                        for you will be satisfied.

            Blessed are you who are now weeping,

                        for you will laugh.

            Blessed are you when people hate you,

                        and when they exclude and insult you,

                        and denounce your name as evil

                        on account of the Son of Man.

Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!

Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.

For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.

            But woe to you who are rich,

                        for you have received your consolation.

            Woe to you who are filled now,

                        for you will be hungry.

            Woe to you who laugh now,

                        for you will grieve and weep.

            Woe to you when all speak well of you,

                        for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? Why does Jesus say those who are suffering are blessed? How do we know if we are living in a way similar to those who are blessed?