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?

Word Wide Open: The Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) - 10/24/21

First Reading (Jeremiah 31:7-9)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah.

Thus says the LORD:

    Shout with joy for Jacob,

        exult at the head of the nations;

        proclaim your praise and say:

    The LORD has delivered his people,

        the remnant of Israel.

    Behold, I will bring them back

        from the land of the north;

    I will gather them from the ends of the world,

        with the blind and the lame in their midst,

    the mothers and those with child;

        they shall return as an immense throng.

    They departed in tears,

        but I will console them and guide them;

    I will lead them to brooks of water,

        on a level road, so that none shall stumble.

    For I am a father to Israel,

        Ephraim is my first-born.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How does God always guide us back to Himself? How can we come back to God when we are far away?


Second Reading (Hebrews 5:1-6)

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews.

Brothers and sisters:

Every high priest is taken from among men

and made their representative before God,

to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring,

for he himself is beset by weakness

and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself

as well as for the people.

No one takes this honor upon himself

but only when called by God,

just as Aaron was.

In the same way,

it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest,

but rather the one who said to him:

    You are my son:

        this day I have begotten you;

just as he says in another place:

    You are a priest forever

        according to the order of Melchizedek.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How are we all called to be priests? How do priests do the things in this reading?

Gospel (Mark 10:46-52)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd,

Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus,

sat by the roadside begging.

On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth,

he began to cry out and say,

"Jesus, son of David, have pity on me."

And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. 

But he kept calling out all the more,

"Son of David, have pity on me."

Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."

So they called the blind man, saying to him,

"Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you."

He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 

Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?" 

The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see." 

Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you." 

Immediately he received his sight

and followed him on the way.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? How does having faith save us? How should we ask Jesus for things?

Word Wide Open: The Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) - 10/17/21

First Reading (Isaiah 53:10-11)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.

The LORD was pleased

    to crush him in infirmity.

If he gives his life as an offering for sin,

    he shall see his descendants in a long life,

    and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.

Because of his affliction

    he shall see the light in fullness

        of days;

through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,

    and their guilt he shall bear.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why must a sacrifice be made in order to pay for sins?


Second Reading (Hebrews 4:14-16)

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews.

Brothers and sisters:

Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, 

Jesus, the Son of God,

let us hold fast to our confession.

For we do not have a high priest

who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,

but one who has similarly been tested in every way,

yet without sin. 

So let us confidently approach the throne of grace

to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How did Jesus experience the weakness of humanity without sinning? 

Gospel (Mark 10:35-45)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,

"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." 

He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?" 

They answered him, "Grant that in your glory

we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." 

Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. 

Can you drink the cup that I drink

or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" 

They said to him, "We can." 

Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink,

and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;

but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give

but is for those for whom it has been prepared." 

When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. 

Jesus summoned them and said to them,

"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles

lord it over them,

and their great ones make their authority over them felt. 

But it shall not be so among you.

Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;

whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. 

For the Son of Man did not come to be served

but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? What is the cup they all will drink? How are true leaders servants to others? 

Word Wide Open: The Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) - 10/10/21

First Reading (Wisdom 7:7-11)

A reading from the Book of Wisdom.

 I prayed, and prudence was given me;

        I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.

    I preferred her to scepter and throne,

    and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,

        nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;

    because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand,

        and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.

    Beyond health and comeliness I loved her,

    and I chose to have her rather than the light,

        because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.

    Yet all good things together came to me in her company,

        and countless riches at her hands.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What is the gift of wisdom? Why should we want it over all earthly things?


Second Reading (Hebrews 4:12-13)

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews.

Brothers and sisters:

Indeed the word of God is living and effective,

sharper than any two-edged sword,

penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow,

and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

No creature is concealed from him,

but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him

to whom we must render an account.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How is the word of God living and effective? What does the last part of this reading mean?

Gospel (Mark 10:17-30)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,

knelt down before him, and asked him,

"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good? 

No one is good but God alone.

You know the commandments: You shall not kill;

you shall not commit adultery;

you shall not steal;

you shall not bear false witness;

you shall not defraud;

honor your father and your mother." 

He replied and said to him,

"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."

Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,

"You are lacking in one thing.

Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor

and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." 

At that statement his face fell,

and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,

"How hard it is for those who have wealth

to enter the kingdom of God!" 

The disciples were amazed at his words.

So Jesus again said to them in reply,

"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle

than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." 

They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,

"Then who can be saved?"

Jesus looked at them and said,

"For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. 

All things are possible for God." 

Peter began to say to him,

"We have given up everything and followed you." 

Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you,

there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters

or mother or father or children or lands

for my sake and for the sake of the gospel

who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:

houses and brothers and sisters

and mothers and children and lands,

with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? In what ways are we like the first man in this reading? Why does having earthly things make it difficult to get into heaven? How does God reward our sacrifices?

Word Wide Open: The Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) -10/3/21

 

 

First Reading (Genesis 2:18-24)

A reading from the Book of Genesis.

The LORD God said: "It is not good for the man to be alone.
I will make a suitable partner for him."
So the LORD God formed out of the ground
various wild animals and various birds of the air,
and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them;
whatever the man called each of them would be its name. 
The man gave names to all the cattle,
all the birds of the air, and all wild animals;
but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man.

So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man,
and while he was asleep,
he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.
The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib
that he had taken from the man.
When he brought her to the man, the man said:
    "This one, at last, is bone of my bones
        and flesh of my flesh;
    this one shall be called 'woman, '
        for out of 'her man’ this one has been taken."
That is why a man leaves his father and mother
and clings to his wife,
and the two of them become one flesh.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why is not good for us to be alone? What does this reading tell us about God's plan for us?


Second Reading (Hebrews 2:9-11)

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews.

Brothers and sisters:
He "for a little while" was made "lower than the angels, "
that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

For it was fitting that he,
for whom and through whom all things exist,
in bringing many children to glory,
should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering.
He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated
all have one origin.
Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers.”

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How does suffering perfect us?

Gospel (Mark 10:2-16)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked,
"Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" 
They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?" 
They replied,
"Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce
and dismiss her."
But Jesus told them,
"Because of the hardness of your hearts
he wrote you this commandment. 
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. 
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one flesh. 
Therefore what God has joined together,
no human being must separate." 
In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. 
He said to them,
"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her;
and if she divorces her husband and marries another,
she commits adultery."

And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them,
but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,
"Let the children come to me;
do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to
such as these. 
Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child
will not enter it."
Then he embraced them and blessed them,
placing his hands on them.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? In what ways are our hearts hardened? Why does the Kingdom of God belong to children?

Word Wide Open: The Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) - 9/26/21

 

 

 

First Reading (Numbers 11:25-29)

A reading from the Book of Numbers.

The LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses.
Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses,
the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders;
and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied.

Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad,
were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp.
They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent;
yet the spirit came to rest on them also,
and they prophesied in the camp.
So, when a young man quickly told Moses,
"Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, "
Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses’ aide, said,
"Moses, my lord, stop them."
But Moses answered him,
"Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!
Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!"

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Are we called to be prophets? If so how? How does God send down His spirit on everyone?


Second Reading (James 5:1-6)

A reading from the Letter of St. James.

Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten,
your gold and silver have corroded,
and that corrosion will be a testimony against you;
it will devour your flesh like a fire.
You have stored up treasure for the last days.
Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers
who harvested your fields are crying aloud;
and the cries of the harvesters
have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure;
you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.
You have condemned;
you have murdered the righteous one;
he offers you no resistance.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Is there anything wrong with having a lot of material things? How can we make sure those things don't consume us?

Gospel (Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

At that time, John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ, 
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? How can we fix division among the faithful? In what ways can we be misled away from Christ?

Word Wide Open: The Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) - 9/19/21

First Reading (Wisdom 2:12, 17-20)

A reading from the Book of Wisdom.

The wicked say:

    Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;

        he sets himself against our doings,

    reproaches us for transgressions of the law

        and charges us with violations of our training.

    Let us see whether his words be true;

        let us find out what will happen to him.

    For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him

        and deliver him from the hand of his foes.

    With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test

        that we may have proof of his gentleness

        and try his patience.

    Let us condemn him to a shameful death;

        for according to his own words, God will take care of him.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why are people often persecuted for doing the right thing? How does God deliver us from the hands of our foes?


Second Reading (James 3:16-4:3)

A reading from the Letter of St. James.

Beloved:

Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,

there is disorder and every foul practice. 

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,

then peaceable, gentle, compliant,

full of mercy and good fruits,

without inconstancy or insincerity. 

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace

for those who cultivate peace.

Where do the wars

and where do the conflicts among you come from? 

Is it not from your passions

that make war within your members? 

You covet but do not possess. 

You kill and envy but you cannot obtain;

you fight and wage war. 

You do not possess because you do not ask. 

You ask but do not receive,

because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why is jealousy so harmful to us? How can we make sure we are not wrapped up in our passions?

Gospel (Mark 9:30-37)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,

but he did not wish anyone to know about it. 

He was teaching his disciples and telling them,

“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men

and they will kill him,

and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” 

But they did not understand the saying,

and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,

he began to ask them,

“What were you arguing about on the way?” 

But they remained silent.

They had been discussing among themselves on the way

who was the greatest. 

Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,

“If anyone wishes to be first,

he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” 

Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst,

and putting his arms around it, he said to them,

“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;

and whoever receives me,

receives not me but the One who sent me.”

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 servants of all? What is Jesus trying to say about the child?