Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Aug. 9, 2015

Prophet Elijah in the Desert, Dieric Bouts the Elder, Oil on panel, 1464-68, Sint-Pieterskerk, Leuven, The Netherlands.

God provides physical and spiritual sustenance in time of trouble: This theme continues in this week’s readings. Here the Prophet Elijah, pursued by an angry Queen Jezebel, is depressed, unwilling to get up or to eat. He goes to sleep under a broom tree and hopes to die. God sends an angel, though, who tempts Elijah with hot cakes and water and caring support, giving him strength to go on with his prophecy.

Psalm: Psalm 34:1-8

We will read Psalm 34 in three parts in coming weeks. A Psalm of praise and thanksgiving for God’s protection in time of trouble, it is held in tradition as a hymn sung by King David after he escaped from a threatening situation. In an unusual sensory metaphor that has been adopted in a contemplative Taizé chant, the Psalmist tells us to “taste and see” that God is good when we are thankful for God’s protection.

Second Reading: Ephesians 4:25-5:2

This lesson offers good advice for those who lived in community in the early church. It is good advice, too, for those in church community in any era: Tell the truth. If you’re angry with your neighbor, work it out; don’t let anger divide you. Don’t steal; work honestly, and share with those in need. Be honest, but be positive. Be gracious. Forgive one another. In short, love each other as Jesus loves us, and try to live as Jesus would have us live.

Gospel: John 6:35, 41-51

The verse that ended last week’s Gospel is repeated as the first verse this week: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” These words describe our hope in the Eucharist so clearly that we often sing them in the Fraction Anthem before Communion. Here, though, the crowd following Jesus starts to push back. They know Jesus. They know his parents. They watched him grow up. Who is he to be talking like this? But Jesus stands firm, and will continue to do so as we stay with this Chapter of John for the next three Sundays. In Jesus we know God. Through Jesus, God is with us.