Word Wide Open: The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) - 1/26/25

First Reading (Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Nehemiah.

Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly,

which consisted of men, women,

and those children old enough to understand.

Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate,

he read out of the book from daybreak till midday,

in the presence of the men, the women,

and those children old enough to understand;

and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.

Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform

that had been made for the occasion.

He opened the scroll

so that all the people might see it

— for he was standing higher up than any of the people —;

and, as he opened it, all the people rose.

Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God,

and all the people, their hands raised high, answered,

"Amen, amen!"

Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD,

their faces to the ground.

Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God,

interpreting it so that all could understand what was read.

Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe

and the Levites who were instructing the people

said to all the people:

"Today is holy to the LORD your God.

Do not be sad, and do not weep"—

for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.

He said further: "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks,

and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared;

for today is holy to our LORD.

Do not be saddened this day,

for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!"

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? How does rejoicing in the Lord give us strength?

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 12:12-30)

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

Brothers and sisters:

As a body is one though it has many parts,

and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,

so also Christ.

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,

whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,

and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

Now the body is not a single part, but many.

If a foot should say,

"Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body, "

it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.

Or if an ear should say,

"Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body, "

it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.

If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?

If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?

But as it is, God placed the parts,

each one of them, in the body as he intended.

If they were all one part, where would the body be?

But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you, "

nor again the head to the feet, "I do not need you."

Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker

are all the more necessary,

and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable

we surround with greater honor,

and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety,

whereas our more presentable parts do not need this.

But God has so constructed the body

as to give greater honor to a part that is without it,

so that there may be no division in the body,

but that the parts may have the same concern for one another.

If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it;

if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.

Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it.

Some people God has designated in the church

to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;

then, mighty deeds;

then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,

and varieties of tongues.

Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?

Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?

Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

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? How is the body of Christ strengthened and weakened?

Gospel (Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events

that have been fulfilled among us,

just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning

and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,

I too have decided,

after investigating everything accurately anew,

to write it down in an orderly sequence for you,

most excellent Theophilus,

so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings

you have received.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,

and news of him spread throughout the whole region.

He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,

and went according to his custom

into the synagogue on the sabbath day.

He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.

He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring glad tidings to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,

and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.

He said to them,

"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."

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? How can we be witnesses of Christ’s love? In what ways does Jesus fulfil the scriptures?

Word Wide Open: The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) - 1/19/25

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: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What does it mean to be the Lord’s delight?

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: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How can we know which spiritual gifts we’ve been given?

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: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? How does Mary intercede for us to the Lord? What are the miracles the Lord performs today?

Word Wide Open: The Baptism of the Lord (C) - 1/12/25

First Reading (Isaiah 40:15, 9-11)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.

Comfort, give comfort to my people,

            says your God.

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her

            that her service is at an end,

            her guilt is expiated;

indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD

            double for all her sins.

            A voice cries out:

In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!

            Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!

Every valley shall be filled in,

            every mountain and hill shall be made low;

the rugged land shall be made a plain,

            the rough country, a broad valley. 

Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,

            and all people shall see it together;

            for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Go up on to a high mountain,

            Zion, herald of glad tidings;

cry out at the top of your voice,

            Jerusalem, herald of good news!

Fear not to cry out

            and say to the cities of Judah:

            Here is your God!

Here comes with power

            the Lord GOD,

            who rules by a strong arm;

here is his reward with him,

            his recompense before him.

Like a shepherd he feeds his flock;

            in his arms he gathers the lambs,

carrying them in his bosom,

            and leading the ewes with care.

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? How does the Lord deliver us from our service?

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: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How are we called to live in this age?

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: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? Why was Jesus baptized? What do we need to do to “please” God?

Word Wide Open: The Fourth Sunday of Advent (C) - 12/22/24

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: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How does the Lord bring peace?

Second Reading (Hebrews 10:5-10)

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul 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: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why were the sacrifices offered never enough?

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: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? What is the significance of the Visitation? Why should Mary be a big part of our faith lives?

Word Wide Open: The Third Sunday of Advent (C) - 12/15/24

First Reading (Zephaniah 3:14-18a)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Zephaniah.

  Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!

        Sing joyfully, O Israel!

    Be glad and exult with all your heart,

        O daughter Jerusalem!

    The LORD has removed the judgment against you

        he has turned away your enemies;

    the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,

        you have no further misfortune to fear.

    On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:

        Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!

    The LORD, your God, is in your midst,

        a mighty savior;

    he will rejoice over you with gladness,

        and renew you in his love,

    he will sing joyfully because of you,

        as one sings at festivals.

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? How does His love renew us?

Second Reading (Philippians 4:4-7)

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

Brothers and sisters:

Rejoice in the Lord always.

I shall say it again:  rejoice!

Your kindness should be known to all.

The Lord is near.

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, 

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, 

make your requests known to God.

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding 

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

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? How do we rejoice in the Lord?

Gospel (Luke 3:10-18)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

The crowds asked John the Baptist,

“What should we do?”

He said to them in reply,

“Whoever has two cloaks

should share with the person who has none. 

And whoever has food should do likewise.”

Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,

“Teacher, what should we do?”

He answered them, 

“Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”

Soldiers also asked him,

“And what is it that we should do?”

He told them,

“Do not practice extortion, 

do not falsely accuse anyone, 

and be satisfied with your wages.”

Now 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.

His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor

and to gather the wheat into his barn, 

but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Exhorting them in many other ways, 

he preached good news to the people.

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? How can we give ourselves to others? What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit?