Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for Aug. 22, 2021

First Reading (Track One): 1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43

When major life changes confront us, how do we decide? How do we find God in the process? We’ll hear this theme recur in Sunday’s readings.

Eucharistic bread (3rd century), painting in the Early-Christian catacomb of San Callisto on the Roman Appian Way. (Click image to enlarge.)

The story of the first kings of Israel reaches its zenith as the wise and wealthy King Solomon – son of King David – dedicates the first Temple in Jerusalem. The Ark of the Covenant, God’s sanctuary on Earth, has a permanent home at last. Solomon addresses the assembled leaders of Israel and Judah and reminds them of God’s covenant with his father David: “There shall never fail you a successor before me to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children look to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.” Sadly, the people do fail in this vow to be just and righteous. The nation will decline and fall, the temple will be destroyed, and its leaders will be exiled as the prophets foretold.

First Reading (Track Two): Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18

Our Track Two first reading turns to the book of Joshua, who led the people after Moses died. They have finally arrived at the Promised Land after years of wandering in the desert. Now, Joshua confronts them with a decision that will shape their future in the land: Will they return to the old gods of their polytheistic ancestors of ancient times? Or will they renew the covenant that Abraham and Moses made with God, who has 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.” These are good intentions; but Joshua knows the people’s long history: The verses that come just before and after this reading, and the verses that today’s portion skips over, offer hard reminders that to break the covenant brings real consequences.

Psalm (Track One): Psalm 84

This lyrical hymn of praise celebrates the joy of worshiping in the temple that Solomon built. Those who decide to put their trust in God – the Holy One of hosts – will receive God’s grace and glory, the Psalmist sings. The people in exile who prayed for God’s favor and accepted God’s covenant lived in trust that God would welcome them home. They waited in hope for the protection, favor and honor given to those who had trust. As God provides nests for the small birds, the psalm goes on, so will God provide for us: As God provides pools of water for thirsty travelers, so will God hear our prayers.

Psalm (Track Two): Psalm 34:15-22

We have chanted Psalm 34 in sections over three successive Sundays. This is the final week,concluding its hymn of thanks and praise to our merciful, saving God. Like the Israelites entering Canaan, its verses tell us, 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

As we reach the last of seven Sunday readings from the letter to the Ephesians, we hear another call to make a choice: 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” but against the forces of evil that powerful earthly rulers represent. Put on the whole armor of God, this reading commands us: Our armor, breastplate, helmet, sword, belt and sturdy shoes of faith in God will protect us when we choose to boldly declare our faith.

Gospel: John 6:56-69

Our five-week journey through Jesus’ difficult discourse about eating his body and drinking his blood comes to its end this Sunday. We have seen the enthusiastic crowds that surrounded him at the start gradually dwindle away as they hear each new and troubling call to eat Jesus’ body and drink his blood in order to gain eternal life. First the skeptics and faithless, then some of the temple authorities, had turned away in disgust. Now the division grows as many of his own disciples become uncomfortable and leave. Only those closest to Jesus decide to remain with him no matter what. Their faith wins out over doubt, even if they don’t understand it, because they know Jesus as the Holy One of God. Peter asks, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.”