Daily Readings - Sun Aug 19 2018
Proverbs
1Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:2She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.3She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,5Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.6Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Ephesians
15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
John
51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.52The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?53Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.55For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.56He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.57As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.58This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful invitations to embrace spiritual nourishment and wisdom. The first reading from Proverbs personifies Wisdom as a gracious host who has prepared a feast, urging the simple and the unwise to come and partake in her offerings. This imagery calls us to seek understanding and prudence, leaving behind childish ways. The second reading from Ephesians exhorts us to live wisely, avoiding the foolishness of the world, and instead to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This filling manifests in worship, gratitude, and a deep connection with God. The Gospel from John presents Jesus as the living bread, emphasizing that true life comes from partaking in His flesh and blood, a profound sacramental truth that transcends physical sustenance.
These readings interweave the themes of spiritual nourishment and wise living. Proverbs sets the stage by inviting us to the table of Wisdom, Ephesians guides us on how to live in accordance with that wisdom, and John’s Gospel reveals the ultimate source of spiritual food in Jesus Christ. Together, they remind us that our faith is not just about belief but about how we live and nourish our souls.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to seek wisdom in our decisions, to live with virtue, and to find strength in the Eucharist. They remind us that spiritual growth is an active process, requiring us to embrace God’s will and to cultivate a life of gratitude and worship. The moral lesson is clear: true life and wisdom come from embracing Jesus, the living bread, and living in the Spirit, allowing His presence to transform and guide us each day.