Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for Aug. 15, 2021

First Reading (Track One): 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14

What is wisdom? What is foolishness? How do we gain the one and learn from the other? Sunday’s Lectionary readings offer insight to wisdom.

Christ Accused by the Pharisees (1308-1311), tempera painting on wood by Duccio di Buoninsegna (1255-1319). Museo dell’Opera Metropolitana del Duomo, Siena, Italy. (Click image to enlarge.)

In our Track One first reading, we hear that David has died after 40 years as king. His son Solomon, the second son of David and Bathsheba, ascends to the throne, and he will go on to a majestic reign. Here at the beginning of this reading, though, Solomon is well aware that he is young and inexperienced. When God comes to Solomon in a dream and invites him to ask for whatever he might wish, Solomon chooses wisely: He asks not for long life or riches but for the wisdom to govern well. God is pleased, and rewards Solomon with wisdom and honor, asking only that he walk in God’s way. All will go well for many years, but Solomon’s reign, sadly, will come to a bad end when the lure of great power corrupts him.

First Reading (Track Two): Proverbs 9:1-6

It may be a gift to be simple, as the Shakers sang, but the authors of Wisdom and the Psalms don’t treat simplicity so kindly. Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, the word “simple” depicts a naive person, one who lacks experience or, well, wisdom. In the Track Two first reading, Wisdom – personified in the Old Testament as a woman, present with God at the Creation – sets the table for a great feast, and invites the simple to come and be made wise. Through wisdom, we hear, we gain insight and become mature. We learn to walk in God’s way.

Psalm (Track One): Psalm 111

Once again we hear a Psalm that we read earlier in this Lectionary year (during the season after Epiphany), but when we have it in the context of different readings we hear it in new ways. One of the many Psalms that sing God’s praise with joy and exultation, Psalm 111 shouts out our thanksgiving for all of God’s work, for all God’s majesty and splendor, for all of God’s justice that lasts forever. God feeds us, the Psalmist sings. God’s covenant redeems us. The people shout “Hallelujah!” “Praise God!”

Psalm (Track Two): Psalm 34:9-14

The terminology of “fearing” God quickly leads to misunderstanding. I remember as a child being puzzled and more than a little disturbed the first time I encountered this. I hurried to ask Mom: “What does fearing the Lord mean? Are we supposed to be afraid of God?” Happily, she promptly reassured me: Think rather of being in awe – awestruck by God’s love and righteousness. If you love life, the Psalmist sings, be wise and follow God’s way. Speak kindly and with truth; avoid evil and do good; work for peace.

Second Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20

Sunday’s passage from the Letter to the Ephesians continues where last week’s reading left off. It fits neatly into the pattern of this week’s readings with its focus on pursuing wisdom, not foolishness, and fearing God not in fright and alarm but with awe that inspires love. Follow God’s way, filled with the Spirit, it urges us, giving thanks for all our blessings in prayer and song to God in Jesus’ name.

Gospel: John 6:51-58

Over the five weeks that we spend with Jesus’ long “bread narrative” in John’s Gospel this summer, its tone has taken a turn. Initially, crowds were awed by Jesus feeding the multitude and followed him hoping for more, only to become confused. Then last week the discussion turned adversarial, as a crowd of Jewish temple authorities began questioning him. That argument continues in this week’s Gospel, but Jesus is steadfast. His audience seems horrified when he starts using a different Greek word for “eat,” choosing an earthy verb meaning “gnaw, crunch, or chew” to declare that all must “eat his flesh and drink his blood” to earn salvation and eternal life.