Word Wide Open: The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) - 1/17/22

 

 

First Reading (Isaiah 62:1-5)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.

For Zion’s sake I will not be silent,
   for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her vindication shines forth like the dawn
   and her victory like a burning torch.

Nations shall behold your vindication,
   and all the kings your glory;
you shall be called by a new name
   pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.
You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,
   a royal diadem held by your God.
No more shall people call you “Forsaken, “
   or your land “Desolate, “
but you shall be called “My Delight, “
   and your land “Espoused.”
For the LORD delights in you
   and makes your land his spouse.
As a young man marries a virgin,
   your Builder shall marry you;
and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride
   so shall your God rejoice in you.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why is it so  easy to be quiet about our faith? What does it mean to be the delight of God?


Second Reading (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

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

Brothers and sisters:
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; 
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;
there are different workings but the same God
who produces all of them in everyone.
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit
is given for some benefit.
To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom;
to another, the expression of knowledge according to the
same Spirit;
to another, faith by the same Spirit;
to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit;
to another, mighty deeds;
to another, prophecy;
to another, discernment of spirits;
to another, varieties of tongues;
to another, interpretation of tongues.
But one and the same Spirit produces all of these,
distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why do we all receive different gifts? How are some of these gifts used today?

Gospel (John 2:1-11)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee,
and the mother of Jesus was there.
Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.
When the wine ran short,
the mother of Jesus said to him,
“They have no wine.”
And Jesus said to her,
“Woman, how does your concern affect me?
My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servers,
“Do whatever he tells you.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings,
each holding twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus told them,
“Fill the jars with water.”
So they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them,
“Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.”
So they took it. 
And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine,
without knowing where it came from
— although the servers who had drawn the water knew —,
the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him,
“Everyone serves good wine first,
and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one;
but you have kept the good wine until now.”
Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee
and so revealed his glory,
and his disciples began to believe in him.

 

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? What do Mary's actions reveal about what she knows about Jesus in this reading? What does Jesus' first miracle tell us about Him? Why was Jesus hesitant?

Word Wide Open: The Baptism of the Lord (C) - 1/9/22

First Reading (Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.

Thus says the LORD:

Here is my servant whom I uphold,

     my chosen one with whom I am pleased,

upon whom I have put my spirit;

     he shall bring forth justice to the nations,

not crying out, not shouting,

     not making his voice heard in the street.

a bruised reed he shall not break,

     and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,

until he establishes justice on the earth;

     the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,

     I have grasped you by the hand;

I formed you, and set you

     as a covenant of the people,

     a light for the nations,

to open the eyes of the blind,

     to bring out prisoners from confinement,

     and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What does it mean to live temperately? What does it mean to be people of Christ? 


Second Reading (Titus 2:11-14, 3:4-7)

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

Beloved:

The grace of God has appeared, saving all

and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires

and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,

as we await the blessed hope,

the appearance of the glory of our great God

and savior Jesus Christ,

who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness

and to cleanse for himself a people as his own,

eager to do what is good.

            When the kindness and generous love

                        of God our savior appeared,

            not because of any righteous deeds we had done

                        but because of his mercy,

            He saved us through the bath of rebirth

                        and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

            whom he richly poured out on us

                        through Jesus Christ our savior,

            so that we might be justified by his grace

                        and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What does it mean to live temperately? What does it mean to be people of Christ?

Gospel (Luke 3:15-16, 21-22)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

The people were filled with expectation,

and all were asking in their hearts

whether John might be the Christ.

John answered them all, saying, 

“I am baptizing you with water,

but one mightier than I is coming.

I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

After all the people had been baptized 

and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, 

heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him

in bodily form like a dove. 

And a voice came from heaven, 

“You are my beloved Son;

with you I am well pleased.”

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 to be baptized with the Holy Spirit? Did Jesus need to be baptized? 

Word Wide Open: The Epiphany of the Lord (C) - 1/2/22

First Reading (Isaiah 60:1-6)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem!  Your light has come,

the glory of the Lord shines upon you.

See, darkness covers the earth,

and thick clouds cover the peoples;

but upon you the LORD shines,

and over you appears his glory.

Nations shall walk by your light,

and kings by your shining radiance.

Raise your eyes and look about;

they all gather and come to you:

your sons come from afar,

and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,

your heart shall throb and overflow,

for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,

the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.

Caravans of camels shall fill you,

dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;

all from Sheba shall come

bearing gold and frankincense,

and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How are we called to counter the darkness in the world? 


Second Reading (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6)

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

Brothers and sisters:

You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace 

that was given to me for your benefit, 

namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.

It was not made known to people in other generations 

as it has now been revealed

to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 

that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body,

and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why does God give us all different gifts? How do we use those gifts well?

Gospel (Matthew 2:1-12)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,

in the days of King Herod, 

behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?

We saw his star at its rising

and have come to do him homage.”

When King Herod heard this,

he was greatly troubled, 

and all Jerusalem with him.

Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, 

He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, 

for thus it has been written through the prophet:

And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

since from you shall come a ruler,

who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

Then Herod called the magi secretly 

and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.

He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 

“Go and search diligently for the child.

When you have found him, bring me word, 

that I too may go and do him homage.”

After their audience with the king they set out.

And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, 

until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.

They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 

and on entering the house

they saw the child with Mary his mother.

They prostrated themselves and did him homage.

Then they opened their treasures 

and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, 

they departed for their country by another way.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? Why is jealousy so bad for us? Why was Herod afraid of Jesus? What do the three gifts symbolize?

Word Wide Open: The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (C) - 12/26/21

First Reading (Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Sirach.

 God sets a father in honor over his children;

    a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.

Whoever honors his father atones for sins,

    and preserves himself from them.

When he prays, he is heard;

    he stores up riches who reveres his mother.

Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,

    and, when he prays, is heard.

Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;

    he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.

My son, take care of your father when he is old;

    grieve him not as long as he lives.

Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;

    revile him not all the days of his life;

kindness to a father will not be forgotten,

    firmly planted against the debt of your sins

    —a house raised in justice to you.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How are we called to honor our parents? How are we called to serve our families?


Second Reading (Colossians 3:12-21)

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

Brothers and sisters:

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,

heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

bearing with one another and forgiving one another, 

if one has a grievance against another; 

as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.

And over all these put on love, 

that is, the bond of perfection.

And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, 

the peace into which you were also called in one body.

And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, 

as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, 

singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs 

with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, 

do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him.  

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, 

as is proper in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives, 

and avoid any bitterness toward them.

Children, obey your parents in everything, 

for this is pleasing to the Lord.

Fathers, do not provoke your children, 

so they may not become discouraged.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How can we be more forgiving of others? What is this reading saying about husbands and wives?

Gospel (Luke 2:41-52)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast

of Passover, 

and when he was twelve years old, 

they went up according to festival custom.

After they had completed its days, as they were returning, 

the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, 

but his parents did not know it.

Thinking that he was in the caravan,

they journeyed for a day

and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 

but not finding him,

they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

After three days they found him in the temple, 

sitting in the midst of the teachers, 

listening to them and asking them questions, 

and all who heard him were astounded 

at his understanding and his answers.

When his parents saw him,

they were astonished, 

and his mother said to him, 

“Son, why have you done this to us?

Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”

And he said to them,

“Why were you looking for me?

Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

But they did not understand what he said to them.

He went down with them and came to Nazareth,

and was obedient to them; 

and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor

before God and man.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? How does the Holy Family show us how to love? What is the importance of church buildings? How can we model our friendships and families after the Holy Family?

Word Wide Open: The Fourth Sunday of Advent (C) - 12/19/21

First Reading (Micah 5:1-4a)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Micah.

 Thus says the LORD:

    You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah

        too small to be among the clans of Judah,

    from you shall come forth for me

        one who is to be ruler in Israel;

    whose origin is from of old,

        from ancient times.

    Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time

        when she who is to give birth has borne,

    and the rest of his kindred shall return

        to the children of Israel.

    He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock

        by the strength of the LORD,

        in the majestic name of the LORD, his God;

    and they shall remain, for now his greatness

        shall reach to the ends of the earth;

        he shall be peace.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How does Jesus bring the nations of the world together?


Second Reading (Hebrews 10:5-10)

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews.

Brothers and sisters:

When Christ came into the world, he said:

    “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,

        but a body you prepared for me;

    in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight.

    Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll,

    behold, I come to do your will, O God.’“

First he says, “Sacrifices and offerings,

holocausts and sin offerings, 

you neither desired nor delighted in.”

These are offered according to the law.

Then he says, :Behold, I come to do your will.”

He takes away the first to establish the second.

By this “will,”  we have been consecrated 

through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What does this reading say about sacrifice? How does Jesus' offering consecrate us?

Gospel (Luke 1:39-45)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

Mary set out

and traveled to the hill country in haste

to a town of Judah, 

where she entered the house of Zechariah

and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,

the infant leaped in her womb, 

and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, 

cried out in a loud voice and said, 

“Blessed are you among women, 

and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

And how does this happen to me, 

that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, 

the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

Blessed are you who believed

that what was spoken to you by the Lord

would be fulfilled.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? How does Elizabeth recognize Jesus? How can we getter better at recognizing Christ in our own lives?

Word Wide Open: The Second Sunday of Advent (C) - 12/5/21

 

First Reading (Baruch 5:1-9)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Baruch.

Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery;

    put on the splendor of glory from God forever:

wrapped in the cloak of justice from God,

    bear on your head the mitre

    that displays the glory of the eternal name.

For God will show all the earth your splendor:

    you will be named by God forever

    the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.

    

Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights;

    look to the east and see your children

gathered from the east and the west

    at the word of the Holy One,

    rejoicing that they are remembered by God.

Led away on foot by their enemies they left you:

    but God will bring them back to you

    borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones.

For God has commanded

    that every lofty mountain be made low,

and that the age-old depths and gorges

    be filled to level ground,

    that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.

The forests and every fragrant kind of tree

    have overshadowed Israel at God’s command;

for God is leading Israel in joy

    by the light of his glory,

    with his mercy and justice for company.

The word of the Lord.

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


Second Reading (Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11)

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

Brothers and sisters:

I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, 

because of your partnership for the gospel 

from the first day until now.

I am confident of this,

that the one who began a good work in you

will continue to complete it 

until the day of Christ Jesus.

God is my witness, 

how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer:

that your love may increase ever more and more 

in knowledge and every kind of perception, 

to discern what is of value, 

so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 

filled with the fruit of righteousness 

that comes through Jesus Christ 

for the glory and praise of God.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What is the work that has begun in us? How can we better discern what is of value?

Gospel (Luke 3:1-6)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, 

when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, 

and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee,

and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region

of Ituraea and Trachonitis, 

and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, 

during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, 

the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.

John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, 

proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 

as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:

    A voice of one crying out in the desert:

    “Prepare the way of the Lord,

        make straight his paths.

    Every valley shall be filled

        and every mountain and hill shall be made low.

    The winding roads shall be made straight,

        and the rough ways made smooth,

    and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? How can we be more repentant during Advent? How do we prepare the way of the Lord?

Word Wide Open: The First Sunday of Advent (C) - 11/28/21

 

First Reading (Jeremiah 33:14-16)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah.

The days are coming, says the LORD, 

    when I will fulfill the promise 

    I made to the house of Israel and Judah.

In those days, in that time, 

    I will raise up for David a just shoot ; 

    he shall do what is right and just in the land.

In those days Judah shall be safe 

    and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; 

    this is what they shall call her: 

    “The LORD our justice.”

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What does it mean that the Lord is our justice? 


Second Reading (1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2)

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

Brothers and sisters:

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love

for one another and for all,

just as we have for you, 

so as to strengthen your hearts, 

to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father 

at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.  Amen.

Finally, brothers and sisters, 

we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that,

as you received from us 

how you should conduct yourselves to please God

and as you are conducting yourselves

you do so even more.

For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How does loving others strengthen us? What are the instructions given to us?

Gospel (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

Jesus said to his disciples:

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, 

and on earth nations will be in dismay, 

perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.

People will die of fright 

in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, 

for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

And then they will see the Son of Man 

coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

But when these signs begin to happen, 

stand erect and raise your heads 

because your redemption is at hand.

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy 

from carousing and drunkenness 

and the anxieties of daily life, 

and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.

For that day will assault everyone

who lives on the face of the earth.

Be vigilant at all times 

and pray that you have the strength 

to escape the tribulations that are imminent 

and to stand before the Son of Man.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? How can daily life and worries distract us from God? How can we be more vigilant about Christ's second coming?

Word Wide Open: The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (B) - 11/21/21

First Reading (Daniel 7:13-14)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Daniel.

As the visions during the night continued, I saw

    one like a Son of man coming,

        on the clouds of heaven;

    when he reached the Ancient One

        and was presented before him,

    the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;

        all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.

    His dominion is an everlasting dominion

        that shall not be taken away,

        his kingship shall not be destroyed.

“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake;

    some shall live forever,

    others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.

“But the wise shall shine brightly

    like the splendor of the firmament,

and those who lead the many to justice

    shall be like the stars forever."

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why is Jesus described as the Son of Man and why is important? Who are the "wise" in this reading?


Second Reading (Revelation 1:5-8)

A reading from the Book of Revelation.

Jesus Christ is the faithful witness,

the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. 

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,

who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father,

to him be glory and power forever and ever.  Amen.

Behold, he is coming amid the clouds,

and every eye will see him,

even those who pierced him.

All the peoples of the earth will lament him.

Yes.  Amen.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, " says the Lord God,

"the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty."

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What does it mean that Jesus is the firstborn of the dead? How do we participate in the freedom from our sins bought by Jesus' blood?

Gospel (John 18:33b-37)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

Pilate said to Jesus,

"Are you the King of the Jews?" 

Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own

or have others told you about me?" 

Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? 

Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. 

What have you done?" 

Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world.

If my kingdom did belong to this world,

my attendants would be fighting

to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. 

But as it is, my kingdom is not here." 

So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" 

Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. 

For this I was born and for this I came into the world,

to testify to the truth. 

Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? How are we part of the Kingdom of God if it is not part of this world? What is Jesus trying to say about truth? How do we know we are listening to Jesus' voice?

Word Wide Open: The Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) - 11/14/21

First Reading (Daniel 12:1-3)

A reading from the Book of Daniel.

In those days, I Daniel, 

    heard this word of the Lord:

"At that time there shall arise

    Michael, the great prince,

    guardian of your people;

it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress

    since nations began until that time.

At that time your people shall escape,

    everyone who is found written in the book.

“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake;

    some shall live forever,

    others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.

“But the wise shall shine brightly

    like the splendor of the firmament,

and those who lead the many to justice

    shall be like the stars forever."

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What does this reading tell us about the final judgment?


Second Reading (Hebrews 10:11-14, 18)

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews.

Brothers and sisters:

Every priest stands daily at his ministry,

offering frequently those same sacrifices

that can never take away sins. 

But this one offered one sacrifice for sins,

and took his seat forever at the right hand of God;

now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. 

For by one offering

he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.

Where there is forgiveness of these,

there is no longer offering for sin.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why are there no longer offerings for sin? Why are we continually called to make sacrifices in our own lives?

Gospel (Mark 13:24-32)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

Jesus said to his disciples:

"In those days after that tribulation

the sun will be darkened,

and the moon will not give its light,

and the stars will be falling from the sky,

and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

"And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds'

with great power and glory,

and then he will send out the angels

and gather his elect from the four winds,

from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.

"Learn a lesson from the fig tree.

When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,

you know that summer is near.

In the same way, when you see these things happening,

know that he is near, at the gates. 

Amen, I say to you,

this generation will not pass away

until all these things have taken place. 

Heaven and earth will pass away,

but my words will not pass away.

"But of that day or hour, no one knows,

neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

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 to be one of the elect? Why should we not worry about the end of the world?

Word Wide Open: The Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) - 11/7/21

First Reading (1 Kings 17:10-16)

A reading from the First Book of Kings.

In those days, Elijah the prophet went to Zarephath.

As he arrived at the entrance of the city,

a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her,

"Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink." 

She left to get it, and he called out after her,

"Please bring along a bit of bread." 

She answered, "As the LORD, your God, lives,

I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar

and a little oil in my jug. 

Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks,

to go in and prepare something for myself and my son;

when we have eaten it, we shall die." 

Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid. 

Go and do as you propose.

But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. 

Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son. 

For the LORD, the God of Israel, says,

'The jar of flour shall not go empty,

nor the jug of oil run dry,

until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'" 

She left and did as Elijah had said. 

She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well;

the jar of flour did not go empty,

nor the jug of oil run dry,

as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How does God bless and multiply our sacrifices? 


Second Reading (Hebrews 9:24-28)

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews.

Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands,

a copy of the true one, but heaven itself,

that he might now appear before God on our behalf. 

Not that he might offer himself repeatedly,

as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary

with blood that is not his own;

if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly

from the foundation of the world. 

But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages

to take away sin by his sacrifice. 

Just as it is appointed that human beings die once,

and after this the judgment, so also Christ,

offered once to take away the sins of many,

will appear a second time, not to take away sin

but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How does Jesus' sacrifice buy us eternal life? What will happen when Jesus comes again?

Gospel (Mark 12:38-44)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds,

"Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes

and accept greetings in the marketplaces,

seats of honor in synagogues, 

and places of honor at banquets.

They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext

recite lengthy prayers. 

They will receive a very severe condemnation."

He sat down opposite the treasury

and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. 

Many rich people put in large sums.

A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. 

Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,

"Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more

than all the other contributors to the treasury. 

For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,

but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,

her whole livelihood."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? What is wrong with what the rich people are doing? Why is the widow doing the better thing? How are we called to offer what we have?

Word Wide Open: The Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) - 10/31/21

First Reading (Deuteronomy 6:2-6)

A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy.

Moses spoke to the people, saying:

"Fear the LORD, your God,

and keep, throughout the days of your lives,

all his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you,

and thus have long life.

Hear then, Israel, and be careful to observe them,

that you may grow and prosper the more,

in keeping with the promise of the LORD, the God of your fathers,

to give you a land flowing with milk and honey.

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! 

Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God,

with all your heart,

and with all your soul,

and with all your strength. 

Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today."

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How do God's commandments give us a long life? How do we love God totally?


Second Reading (Hebrews 7:23-28)

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews.

Brothers and sisters:

The levitical priests were many

because they were prevented by death from remaining in office,

but Jesus, because he remains forever,

has a priesthood that does not pass away.

Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him, 

since he lives forever to make intercession for them.

It was fitting that we should have such a high priest:

holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners,

higher than the heavens.

He has no need, as did the high priests,

to offer sacrifice day after day,

first for his own sins and then for those of the people;

he did that once for all when he offered himself. 

For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests,

but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law,

appoints a son,

who has been made perfect forever.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How does Jesus' priesthood continue? What are sacrifices we can make in our everyday lives?

Gospel (Mark 12:28b-34)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,

"Which is the first of all the commandments?" 

Jesus replied, "The first is this:

Hear, O Israel!

The Lord our God is Lord alone!

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

with all your soul, 

with all your mind,

and with all your strength.

The second is this:

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

There is no other commandment greater than these." 

The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher.

You are right in saying,

'He is One and there is no other than he.'

And 'to love him with all your heart,

with all your understanding,

with all your strength,

and to love your neighbor as yourself'

is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,

he said to him,

"You are not far from the kingdom of God." 

And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? How do we live out the two commandments Jesus mentioned? Why is treating others well so important to our faith?