Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for Aug. 18, 2024 (Pentecost 13B/Proper 15)

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.)

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

David died after 40 years as king, we hear in Sunday’s Track One first reading, and his son Solomon ascended to the throne. Solomon, the first surviving son of David and Bathsheba, would go on to a majestic reign. Here at the beginning of his reign, though, Solomon knows well 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. This pleases God, who rewards Solomon with wisdom and honor, asking only that the young king 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

What is wisdom? What is foolishness? How do we gain the one and learn from the other? Sunday’s Lectionary readings offer insight. Wisdom is often personified in the Hebrew Bible as a truth-speaking woman of valor, who was present with God at the Creation. In this short passage from Proverbs, traditionally said to have been written by Solomon himself, we see Wisdom setting the table for a great feast, to which she invites the simple – those who lack wisdom – to come and be made wise. Through wisdom one gains insight and becomes mature, learning to walk in God’s way.

Psalm (Track One): Psalm 111

This is one of the many Psalms that sing God’s praise with joy and exultation. Its verses shout thanksgiving for all of God’s work, all of God’s majesty and splendor, all of God’s justice that lasts forever. God feeds us, the Psalmist declares. God’s covenant redeems us, and the people shout “Hallelujah!” “Praise God!” And at the end, the reward is wisdom: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” exults the final verse. “Those who act accordingly have a good understanding.”

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

A bright young man came up with a puzzled look one morning after hearing this passage from Psalm 34. “I don’t understand about ‘fearing’ the Lord,” he said. “Are we supposed to be afraid of God?” We were quick to reassure him: Rather than being afraid, think instead of feeling awe, being awestruck by God’s love. As the Psalmist sings, follow in God’s way. Speak kindly and with truth; avoid evil and do good; work for peace.

Second Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20

This short passage from the letter to the Ephesians directs the hearer to pursue wisdom, not foolishness, and to fear God not in fright and alarm but with the awe that inspires love. It illustrates that point with specific advice of the kind that prompts many to view Paul as a moralistic finger-wagger: It urges the faithful to avoid drunken debauchery, turning to worship and hymns instead. (To be fair to Paul, though, this letter was almost certainly not written by Paul but by more rigid early Christians a generation or two later.) The passages that follow this reading offer more moral codes that have caused real problems in zealous modern interpretation: “Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord,” and possibly even more problematic, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ.”

Gospel: John 6:51-58

Jesus’ long narrative about the bread of life has taken a turn. Now a new crowd of Pharisees and temple leaders confronts Jesus and pushes back when he declares that everyone must “eat his flesh and drink his blood” to gain eternal life. Jesus doubles down in Mark’s telling, which uses a Greek word for “eat” that literally means “to gnaw,” “to crunch,” or “to chew.” When John’s Gospel was written after the destruction of the Temple, early Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism were angrily tearing apart. In John’s frequent use of “The Jews” as a dismissive term for the temple authorities who opposed Jesus, we hear a sad refrain that fostered centuries of anti-Judaism.

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.”

Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for Aug. 19, 2018

Wisdom, 1170s parchment folio page in tempera, gold and silver leaf and ink. J. Paul Getty Center, Los Angeles. (Click image to enlarge.)

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

David died after 40 years as king, and his son Solomon ascended to the throne. Solomon, the second son of David and Bathsheba, will go on to a majestic reign. As we see him here at the beginning, though, Solomon knows well 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, by asking 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

What is wisdom? What is foolishness? How do we gain the one and learn from the other? Reflect on Sunday’s readings for insight. Wisdom is often personified in the First Testament as a woman, present with God at the Creation. In this short passage from Proverbs, traditionally (although surely not historically) said to have been written by Solomon himself, we see Wisdom setting the table for a great feast, to which she invites the simple to come and be made wise. Through wisdom we gain insight and become mature. We learn to walk in God’s way.

Psalm (Track One): Psalm 111

Again we chant together a Psalm that we heard earlier this year (during the season after Epiphany) in the context of different readings. One of the many Psalms that sing God’s praise with joy and exultation, it shouts out our thanksgiving for all of God’s work, all of God’s majesty and splendor, all of God’s justice that lasts forever. God feeds us. God’s covenant redeems us. The people shout “Hallelujah!” “Praise God!”

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

The notion of “fearing” God often gives rise to misunderstanding. I remember as a child being puzzled and perhaps a little disturbed the first time I encountered this, and I hurried to ask Mom: “What does fearing the Lord mean? Are we supposed to be afraid of God?” It’s good to recognize its true sense: We should not be afraid but in awe – awestruck by God’s love and righteousness. Hear the Psalmist sing: follow God’s way. Speak kindly and with truth. Avoid evil and do good. Work for peace.

Second Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20

This short passage from the letter to the Ephesians 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. It’s worth noting that its explicit command to avoid drunken debauchery has sometimes been interpreted in modern times to support the complete prohibition of alcoholic beverages, but we know how that came out; we can turn to the Wedding Feast at Cana to gather that Jesus and his family and friends had no objection to the social enjoyment of wine.

Gospel: John 6:51-58

Jesus’ long narrative about the bread of life has taken a turn. We have seen awed crowds following Jesus after he fed thousands with bread and fish, hoping to see more signs and maybe get more bread. Now a new crowd of Pharisees and temple leaders confronts Jesus and pushes back, especially when Jesus doubles down on his talk of “living bread” by adding that everyone must “eat his flesh and drink his blood” to gain eternal life. When John’s Gospel was written after the destruction of the Temple, early Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism were angrily tearing apart. In John’s frequent use of “The Jews” as a dismissive term for the temple authorities who opposed Jesus, we hear a sad refrain that fostered centuries of anti-Judaism.

What are “Track 1” and “Track 2”?
During the long green season after Pentecost, there are two tracks (or strands) each week for Old Testament readings. Within each track, there is a Psalm chosen to accompany the particular lesson.
The Revised Common Lectionary allows us to make use of either of these tracks, but once a track has been selected, it should be followed through to the end of the Pentecost season, rather than jumping back and forth between the two strands.
For more information from LectionaryPage.net, click here.

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.