Word Wide Open: The Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) - 8/18/ 24

First Reading (Proverbs 9:1-6)

A reading from the Book of Proverbs.

Wisdom has built her house,

she has set up her seven columns;

she has dressed her meat, mixed her wine,

yes, she has spread her table.

She has sent out her maidens; she calls

from the heights out over the city:

"Let whoever is simple turn in here;

To the one who lacks understanding, she says,

Come, eat of my food,

and drink of the wine I have mixed!

Forsake foolishness that you may live;

advance in the way of understanding."

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What foolishness can we fall into?

Second Reading (Ephesians 5:15-20)

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians. 

Brothers and sisters:

Watch carefully how you live,

not as foolish persons but as wise,

making the most of the opportunity,

because the days are evil. 

Therefore, do not continue in ignorance,

but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. 

And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery,

but be filled with the Spirit,

addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts,

giving thanks always and for everything

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How do we make the most of every opportunity?

Gospel (John 6:51-58)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

Jesus said to the crowds:

"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."

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying,

"How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" 

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. 

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood

has eternal life,

and I will raise him on the last day. 

For my flesh is true food,

and my blood is true drink. 

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood

remains in me and I in him. 

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. 

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 Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? What does it mean that Jesus’ body is true food? What made our ancestors die?