The writer to the Ephesians also exhorts his hearers to wisdom, in this case, the ability to recognize good from evil. The writer knows the context for encouraging this wisdom: the worshipping community.
1st Reading (Track 1): 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14
King David is dead,
and he has chosen Solomon, his son with Bathsheba, to be his successor,
although Solomon had to fight several of his elder brothers to keep it (the
story is told in the remainder of chapter two).
Solomon, encountering God in a dream, asks for wisdom and receives it,
although verse 14 adds a conditional “if,” which foreshadows things
to come.
2:10 David slept with his ancestors,
and was buried in the city of David. 11 The
time that David reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in
Hebron, and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 12 So
Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly
established. 3:3 Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his
father David; only, he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there,
for that was the principal high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt
offerings on that altar. 5 At
Gibeon the Lord appeared to
Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and
steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in
faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you
have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to
sit on his throne today. 7 And now,
O Lord my God, you have made your
servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I
do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And
your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great
people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding
mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can
govern this your great people?” 10 It
pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11
God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked
for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have
asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 I now do according to your word. Indeed I
give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no
one like you shall arise after you. 13 I
give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no
other king shall compare with you. 14 If
you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your
father David walked, then I will lengthen your life.”
Psalm
111 (Track 1)
Psalm 111 praises God for
the faithful deeds he has done in bringing Israel out of Egypt and into the
promised land and blessing them with a covenant. The last verse makes this psalm an
appropriate response to our first reading.
1 Hallelujah!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, *
in the assembly of the upright, in
the congregation.
2 Great are the deeds of the Lord! *
they are studied by all who
delight in them.
3 His work is full of majesty and splendor, *
and his righteousness endures for
ever.
4 He makes his marvelous works to be
remembered; *
the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He gives food to those who fear him; *
he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his
works *
in giving them the lands of the
nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithfulness and
justice; *
all his commandments are sure.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, *
because
they are done in truth and equity.
9 He sent redemption to his people;
he commanded his covenant for ever; *
holy and awesome is his Name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; *
those who act accordingly have a
good understanding;
his praise endures for ever.
1st Reading (Track 2): Proverbs 9:1-6
The figure of Lady Wisdom is
important to the ancient Hebrew literature called “Wisdom.” She is understanding and righteousness
personified. Here she invites all in
need of wisdom (“the simple”) to a festal banquet, a metaphor for learning and
following her ways. In the history of
Christian interpretation this text has been thought to foreshadow the
Eucharist. Indeed, it is the Old
Testament reading on Maundy Thursday in the Eastern Church.
9:1 Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars. 2 She has slaughtered her animals, she has
mixed her wine, she has also set her table. 3 She
has sent out her servant-girls, she calls from the highest places in the town, 4 “You that are simple, turn in here!” To
those without sense she says, 5 “Come,
eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in
the way of insight.”
Psalm
34:9-14 (Track 2)
Overall, Psalm
34 is a song of thanksgiving. The “fear”
of God is a much misunderstood concept in the Bible, particularly in the Hebrew
Scriptures. There are three elements to
this rich term: awe and reverence, the
turning from evil, and the choice of obedience to the ways of God. This passage very much echoes the words of
Lady Wisdom in Proverbs.
9 Fear the Lord,
you that are his saints *
for those who fear him lack
nothing.
10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger, *
but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good.
11 Come, children, and listen to me; *
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who among you loves life *
and desires long life to enjoy
prosperity?
13 Keep your tongue from evil-speaking *
and your lips from lying words.
14 Turn from evil and do good; *
seek peace and pursue it.
2nd Reading:
Ephesians 5:15-20
The writer to the Ephesians also exhorts his hearers
to wisdom, in this case, the ability to recognize good from evil. The writer knows the context for encouraging
this wisdom: the worshipping community. Note the paradox: “the days are evil” but
give thanks at all times. Such realism
and hope are a necessary point/counter-point in the Christian life.
5:15 Be careful then
how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 16
making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So do not be foolish, but understand what
the will of the Lord is. 18 Do not
get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, 20 giving thanks to God the Father at all
times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel Reading: John 6:51-58
Jesus has caused grumbling with his talk about
being bread that comes down from heaven.
Now he takes it a step further. This bread is his flesh. This causes an
open dispute to break out. The crowd
thinks he is being ridiculous. But he
presses on, carrying the metaphor to its breaking point. “The one who eats this bread will live
forever.”
6:51 Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever
eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the
life of the world is my flesh.” 52 The
Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his
flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to
them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and
drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Those
who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up
on the last day; 55 for my flesh is
true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Those
who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I
live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from
heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who
eats this bread will live forever.”
The Scripture readings (except for the
psalm) are from the New Revised Standard
Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of
the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by
permission. All rights reserved. The Psalm translation is from The Book of Common Prayer. Commentaries are copyright © 2018
Epiphany ESources, 67 E. Main St., Hornell, NY 14843. www.EpiphanyEsources.com. All rights
reserved. Permission is given to copy for congregational and personal study use
with this attribution. For bulletin inserts
using the above, go to our website.
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