Bible Study Guide 20 th Sunday in the Ordinary Time B August 16, 2015

1 st reading: Proverbs 9,1-6 1 Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven columns. 2 She has dressed her meat, mixed her wine, yes, she has spread her table. 3 She has sent out her maidens; she calls from the heights out over the city: 4 "Let whoever is simple turn in here; to him who lacks understanding, I say, 5 Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed! 6 Forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way of understanding. The focus is on eating the food and drinking the wine offered by the wise man.

Textual Context of the Text Structure of the Book of Proverbs (NAB) 1.Introduction: The Value of Wisdom (1,1—9,18) 2.First Collection of the Proverbs of Solomon (10,1—22,16) 3.Sayings of the Wise (22,17—24,22) 4.Other Sayings of the Wise (24,23-34) 5.Second Collections of the Proverbs of Solomon (25,1— 29,27) 6.The Words of Agur (30,1-6) 7.Numerical Proverbs (30,7-33) 8.The Words of Lemuel (31,1-9) 9.The Ideal Wife (31,10-31) The reading comes from the first part of the Book of Proverbs (which belongs to a bigger context, the Wisdom Literature or Writings (Ketubim in Hebrew). It is about the value of wisdom.

1 st reading: Proverbs 9,1-6 1 Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven columns; 2 She has dressed her meat, mixed her wine, yes, she has spread her table. 3 She has sent out her maidens; she calls from the heights out over the city: 4 "Let whoever is simple turn in here; to him who lacks understanding, I say, 5 Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed! 6 Forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way of understanding. Commentary In v.1, wisdom is portrayed as a constructor, a builder of a beautiful house. In v.2, wisdom is also personified as a good chef preparing good food for a banquet. In v.3, wisdom is described as one responsible, sending maidens (maidservants) to invite all city-dwellers to come. In v.4, wisdom qualifies who should participate in the banquet: only the simple and those lacking in understanding (or wisdom), ignorant but innocent.

1 st reading: Proverbs 9,1-6 1 Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven columns; 2 She has dressed her meat, mixed her wine, yes, she has spread her table. 3 She has sent out her maidens; she calls from the heights out over the city: 4 "Let whoever is simple turn in here; to him who lacks understanding, I say, 5 Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed! 6 Forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way of understanding. In v.4, wisdom qualifies who should participate in the banquet: only the simple and those lacking in understanding (or wisdom), ignorant but innocent. V.5 is the content of the invitation. Here we get the impression that wisdom is also a bartender. In v.6, wisdom exhorts the listeners (those invited) to stop acting foolishly, why? – in order to live In v.6, wisdom also exhorts the listeners to improve their capacity to understand. To understand is to act wisely.

Reflections on the 1 st reading Through the book of the Proverbs, God speaks. We, to whom God speaks, must respond to his invitation. He invites us to enter his house, to join in his banquet and to share in his life. As his guests, we must be prepared to abandon our follies, our sins and our stupidities. We must become wise like him. How deep is your faith and spirituality? How deep is your love? (in the words of the Bee Gees)

Responsorial Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. 2 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. 3 Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear me and be glad. 4 Glorify the LORD with me, let us together extol his name. 5 I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 6 Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. 7 When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him.

Responsorial Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. 2 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. 3 Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear me and be glad. 4 Glorify the LORD with me, let us together extol his name. 5 I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 6 Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. 7 When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him. Commentary Textual Context: It belongs to Book I (chs. 1-41). It is one of the original collections of the Davidic Psalms. Ps 34 is classified as a thanksgiving Hymn. In vv.2-3, the psalmist promises to bless, praise and glorify the Lord. This is how the Psalmist makes the lowly (the humble) rejoice. In v.4, the psalmist invites people to praise God with him.

Responsorial Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. 2 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. 3 Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear me and be glad. 4 Glorify the LORD with me, let us together extol his name. 5 I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 6 Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. 7 When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him. In v.5, he explains why they should praise God with him. The psalmist has experienced the saving power of God. V.6 exhorts the listeners to search for God to be happy, to keep head up high. In v.7, the psalmist acknowledges the power of the prayer of the poor. The Lord hears it and he saves him from destruction.

Reflections on the Psalm The psalm picks up the spirit of the first reading. This time it is the psalmist who invites. He invites us to celebrate with those who have experienced salvation. Are you able to rejoice with those who rejoice? When you receive God’s blessings, do you invite others to rejoice with you? Are you wise? In our Church, rejoicing is done in the context of the liturgy, an organized celebration of God’s goodness and love. If you are able to appreciate Eucharistic celebrations, you must have become wise.

2 nd reading: Ephesians 5, Watch carefully then how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, 16 making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. 18 And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another (in) psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, 20 giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. The focus is on living as WISE.

Textual Context of the Text Outline of Ephesians (Perkins) 1.Greeting (1,1-2) 2.Thanksgiving for redemption and knowledge of heavenly mysteries in Christ (1:3-14) 3.Through the apostle God has made the Gentiles alive in Christ (1:15-3:21) 1.Prayer for the faith, love and hope of those whom God has made part of the body of the heavenly Christ (1:15-23) 2.Contrast between their old "death" in sin and life in Christ (2:1-10) 3.Reconciliation of the Gentiles to God in the one body of Christ(2:11-22) 4.Paul's suffering and ministry to bring the Gentiles into the body of Christ (3:1-13) 5.Prayer for faith and love among Paul's converts (3:14-21) 4.Christian life in the world (4:1-6:20) 5.Unity in the body of Christ, which is built up by different ministries (4:1-16) 6.Old life in "darkness" contrasted with new life as "children of light" (4:17- 5:21) 7.Household code: Marriage in Christ; children and parents; slaves and masters (5:22-6:9) The reading belongs to the 6th part of the book in which Paul exhorts Christians to live in the light, to live wisely. After this, Paul exhorts them to avoid doing foolishness.

2 nd reading: Ephesians 5, Watch carefully then how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, 16 making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. 18 And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another (in) psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, 20 giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. Commentary: In v. 15, the author (Paul!) exhorts Christians to live as wise people. V.16 teaches how to live wisely. – Make the most of the opportunity. (Keep doing good at all times). – Never waste time idly. In v.17, the author continues his teaching. – Understand the will of God. Don’t be ignorant of it. (Study, discern.) – Be filled with the holy Spirit, not wine. V.18 – Singing spiritual songs to one another and playing to the Lord. V.19 – Giving thanks to the Lord. V.20

Reflections on the 2 nd reading Christians should be wise. Christian wisdom constitutes in knowing the will of God and doing good to others and to God. Wise Christians live positively. They waste no time in idle talks. They are hard working. You cannot have wisdom if you are intoxicated with strong drinks and preoccupied with accumulating power, money and prestige. Instead, you will become a violator of human, animal, women, children, laborers and environmental rights.

Gospel: John 6,51-58 Jesus the living bread 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." Jews’ reaction 52The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us (his) flesh to eat?" Life in Jesus by eating him 53 Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. – 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever." The focus is on feeding on Jesus.

Gospel: John 6,51-58 Jesus the living bread 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." Jews’ reaction 52 The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us (his) flesh to eat?" Life in Jesus by eating him 53 Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. – 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever." The underlined words indicate what happens to those who eat him.

Textual Context of John 6,51-58 (Dodd) Part One – Book of Signs (Jn 2-12) Part Two – Book of Glory (Jn 13-20) Our passage is within the Discourse of the Bread of Life (6,22-58). It continues the topic of the Bread from Heaven. Now Jesus says he is the bread from heaven. It is followed by the “Words of Eternal Life.” The gospel was written between AD for the Johannine community.

Gospel: John 6,51-58 Jesus the living bread 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." 52 Jews’ reaction The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us (his) flesh to eat?" Commentary The reading is a continuation of the past Sunday’s readings re the Discourse on the Eucharist (6,22-71). In v.51, Jesus identifies himself as the living bread from heaven, not just an ordinary bread. In v.51b, Jesus assures eternal life to those who take him. V.52 describes the reaction of the Jews. They argue with one another. They object to the claim of Jesus.

Gospel: John 6,51-58 Life in Jesus by eating him 53 Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. – 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. In v.53, Jesus reiterates the necessity of feeding on him to have life. V.54 repeats v.51b which assures eternal life and adds another benefit, resurrection on the last day. V.55 guarantees his flesh and blood as the true food, not fake, not a useless or fancy food.

Gospel: John 6, Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever." In v.56, taking him means remaining in him. It also means Jesus remaining in the person, who takes him. In v.57, Jesus assures life to those who feed on him. The life that is promised is the same life assured of Jesus, when he obeys the Father. V.58 repeats v.51: the bread comes from heaven, not from somewhere else. It is different from the manna in the desert. Their ancestors who consumed it died. Those who eat Jesus will not die.

Reflections on the gospel reading The message of Jesus on taking his body and blood is clear. By all means, we must receive him to have life. We must stop rationalizing or arguing (how is it possible?), because this is a matter of faith. All that Jesus demands of us is faith and obedience. Our catechism tells us that we should receive Holy Communion regularly. If there is any impediment, we must remove that impediment immediately.

Tying the three readings and psalm The first two readings talk about wisdom, while the gospel reading talks about the eucharist. We have a problem here. Maybe we can solve it by looking at wisdom through the eucharist or vice versa. It is a wise move to participate in the eucharist. In the eucharist, there is wisdom. The psalm acknowledges God as the source of spiritual food and wisdom.

How to develop your sharing Maybe, you should focus on wisdom, since we have been focusing on the eucharist for the past Sundays. Pick it (eucharist) up later before you end the homily. Discuss wisdom according to your mind. Start from your experience. (You become wise after committing a mistake, or, after making a wrong decision which has devastating effects, or, when you are reprimanded or scolded in public.) Share what happened when you insisted / imposed your ideas or opinions, “your little learning or incomplete data,” on other people. Share also what you learned from your mistakes. (Now you probably have more money, friends, etc. You are more happy now, more at peace with yourself and your God. And people appreciate you better, in your attitude, behavior, and performance.)

Based on the first reading, we become wise when we share in the life of God. God is always inviting us to partake of his meal and to dwell in his house. To become wise, we must be open to his invitations and share life in his presence. God exhorts us to stop thinking or acting foolishly or mindlessly. He wants us to live meaningful lives.

The responsorial psalm is an invitation to all of us to rejoice and bless the Lord. As a group, we recognize God’s goodness and providence. It is wise to join in meaningful liturgical celebrations.

The second reading is an invitation to live as wise persons, not as foolish ones. There are external manifestations, when we are acting wisely or foolishly. When we waste no time doing nothing, we are wise. When we are busy serving the needs of others, we are wise. There is no wisdom in engaging in empty talks and useless projects.

The gospel reading is an invitation to eat the food offered by Christ. It is wise to participate in the eucharistic meals of the Church. Jesus promises life eternal to people who respond to his invitation. We should be humble enough to admit that we cannot attain salvation without being nurtured by Jesus. In the gospel, Jesus is emphatic on receiving him. The wise Christian should think that there is no better way to be closer to Christ than to do what Jesus himself teaches.

It is wise to receive the holy eucharist. The eucharist is the sacrament of solemn encounter between God and us. In the eucharist, Jesus infuses wisdom on us. This wisdom brings us to eternal life.

Our Context of Sin and Grace Unwise & hasty decisions Bad moves Too much risk taking Gambling mentality Fatalism Intoxication Indecision Making important decision when emotionally disturbed Wise decisions Discernment Doing homework well Taking time in weighing all sides Good judgment Has spiritual values Docile Has faith Regularly receives the eucharist