Proverbs 9:1-6; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58
The Book of Proverbs, the source of this weekend’s first reading, is part of the Wisdom Literature. This literature, forming an important part of the Old Testament, came to be in an interesting development of history.
As years passed, and in circumstances good and bad, many Jews left the land of their heritage and moved to other areas in the Middle East or North Africa. In another movement, the armies of Alexander the Great swept across much of this same territory.
The Greek armies of Alexander militarily subdued all that was in their path. Many were killed. But peace came after the various invasions and the Greeks left a deep imprint upon the cultures of the conquered lands.
Precisely in this overwhelmingly Greek situation did the Jews, who had origins in the Holy Land, find the need to reinforce their faith in their own ancient religious tradition, as well as to convey this tradition to new generations.
Very important in Greek culture was the pursuit of knowledge, or the knowledge of reality. The Greeks cherished the science and process of logic. They were great philosophers.
So in places where Greek culture dominated, the Jews blended Revelation, received from Moses and the prophets, with logic. In other words, the Jews had to convince others, most importantly their own communities and their own children, that the teachings of Moses and the prophets made sense.
Proverbs was one such effort in this process. This reading employs an interesting technique used by the author of Proverbs — the personification of wisdom. Wisdom, as if a person, speaks in the first person.
In this passage, wisdom invites anyone who is “simple” to come. Awaiting is a marvelous meal of the finest food and wine.
Extending such an invitation to the “simple” was novel at the time. The “simple,” or the poor and powerless, were not regarded with great admiration or attention. Of course, very likely, many of the Jews to whom these writings were directed were among the “simple.”
The Epistle to the Ephesians provides the second reading.
Here, as in all the epistles, the purpose was both to strengthen and to encourage the early Christians. In this case, the Christians were followers of Jesus living in the great seaport city of Ephesus, a very important pagan shrine on the Mediterranean coast of what today is Turkey.
The epistle admonishes these Christians of Ephesus to watch their conduct. They should live as true disciples of Jesus. Lip service is not enough for true discipleship.
St. John’s Gospel supplies us with the last reading.
It is one of the most memorable passages in this thoroughly memorable Gospel, familiar to all believers, showing the early Christians’ intense love for the Eucharist.
Jesus declares, “I myself am the living bread.” The Lord then continues, in great eloquence and depth, to explain this revelation.
It is real food and real drink. It is not imaginary or symbolic or casual. The message is precise. The bread is the Lord. Those who consume this living, life-giving bread will be raised on the last day.
Reflection
For weeks this summer, the church has called us to discipleship. Having put before us the image of Jesus, crucified, risen, at Holy Week and Easter, with all the accompanying lessons of the Ascension and Pentecost, the church has invited us to follow Jesus.
It has reminded us of our limitations. We cannot find peace and true happiness alone. We cannot secure eternal life alone. We need God.
This is a difficult lesson for Christians. The church repeats it again and again. But while warning us, the church reassures us. Although we are limited, even though we cannot achieve salvation alone, God is lavish and merciful. He envelops us in mercy, love and strength. He guides us. He sustains us.
God gives us all this in Jesus, the very bread of life. In the Eucharist, we, even if “simple,” unite with Jesus, the Son of God. He is our life and our joy and our hope.
