Scriptures & Questions for August 20

Here are the scripture readings for this upcoming Sunday.

Suggestion: Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it (some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection).

You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

If you would like to comment on these scriptures or have some on-line conversation about them, please go to sundayscriptures@blogspot.com and click the "comments" button at the bottom.

(St. Paul's uses the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary readings which are a little different from the Prayer Book Lections. The recent General Convention authorized the RCL as our official lectionary.)

August 20, 2006
11th Sunday after Pentecost; Proper 15, Year B
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

Proverbs 9:1-6
Psalm 34:9-14
Ephesians 5:15-20
John 6:51-58

Proverbs 9:1-6
Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars. She
has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine, she has also
set her table. She has sent out her servant girls, she calls from
the highest places in the town, "You that are simple, turn in
here!" To those without sense she says, "Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity, and
live, and walk in the way of insight."
__________________

From what wisdom have you drunk? What insight have you consumed?
If you were to write for the NPR series "This I Believe", what would you write?
______________________________________________________

Psalm 34:9-14
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.
____________________

What does "the fear of the Lord" mean to you?
How can you practice verses 13 and 14 in your life?
______________________________________________________

Ephesians 5:15-20
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise,
making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not
be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not
get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with
the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs
among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your
hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for
everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
_____________________

What wise and what unwise habits and practices are part of your life?
______________________________________________________

John 6:51-58
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."

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this
man give us his flesh to eat?" 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. Those who eat my flesh and drink
my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day;
for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat
my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the
living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever
eats me will live because of me. 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."
_______________

These words disturbed those who first heard them. In some places, early Christians were rumored to be cannibals.
What does this reading mean to you?
_____________________________________________________

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On most weekdays I send a Morning Reflection to this same list, offering a thought about the readings from the Daily Office.

Lowell

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR