Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Aug. 23, 2015

“Joshua and the Children of Israel Crossing the Jordan With the Ark of the Covenant” by Benjamin West, 1800.

Decisions, decisions. When major life changes confront us, how do we decide? How do we find God in the process? Listen for this theme in today’s readings. We begin as Joshua, successor to Moses, leads the people into the Promised Land at last. First, though, they have a decision to make: Do they return to the gods of their ancient ancestors? Or do they renew the covenant that their ancestors Abraham and Moses made with God who led them out of exile in Egypt and brought them safely through the desert? Their response is clear: “We … will serve the Holy One, for he is our God.”

Psalm: Psalm 34:15-22

In our third Sunday with this Psalm, it concludes its hymn of praise and thanks to our merciful, saving God. Like the Israelites entering Canaan, those who make the decision to follow God’s commandments will earn God’s protection against fear, sorrow and danger. Those who choose otherwise, the wicked and the unrighteous, will eventually be punished, the Psalmist sings; but those who choose to serve God can trust in God.

Second Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

Here, too, as we reach the conclusion of the letter to the Ephesians, we hear a call to choose: As a persecuted church, a tiny minority in the Empire of Rome, the people clearly understood that their struggle was not against “blood and flesh” – surely an echo of Jesus’ promise in John – but against the powerful earthly rulers who stood for the forces of evil. Our armor, breastplate, helmet, sword, belt and sturdy shoes of faith in God protect us when we choose to boldly declare our faith.

Gospel: John 6:56-69

Our month-long journey through Jesus’ difficult discourse about eating his body and drinking his blood comes to its end today. Previously, the skeptics and those who were short on faith had turned away from Jesus in disgust. Now the division grows, as even many of his own disciples become uncomfortable and leave. Only his closest disciples make the decision to remain with Jesus. They accept this hard teaching, even if they don’t understand it, because they know Jesus as the Holy One of God. In the end their faith wins out over doubt.