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. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Proper 15 Yr B
Introduction
Introduction
Although the focus this week is on the lesson from the letter to the Ephesians, it pairs very nicely with the story of Solomon in the first book of Kings and the gospel from John. The children's song, "O be careful" (see Ear Worms below), fits well with the theme. Children are reminded that everything that we say, hear, see, do, think is to be considered well as it befits someone who follows Jesus' teaching. Around us we hear the recurring theme, "Jesus has no hands on earth but ours". So, how do we live our lives? If someone examined your life, who would you represent? I hope I represent well . . . but do I? I welcome your comments.
Ephesians 5:15-20
Ephesians 5:15-20
Be careful then how you live, . . . 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.
From sermon4kids.com: “Paul wrote, ‘So be careful how you live. . . . be filled with the Holy Spirit, . . ..’ That is good advice, isn’t it? It was good advice to the Ephesians almost 2000 years ago and it is still good advice for us today.”
Scripture: August 18, 2024 (Proper 15)—1 Kings 2:10–12; 3:3–14 (image); Psalm 111 (image); Proverbs 9:1-6 (image); Psalm 34:9-14 (image); Ephesians 5:15–20 (image); and John 6:51–58 (image). A video/audio journey through the scripture.
Collect: Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Reflection: “At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, ‘Ask what I should give you’” (1 Kgs. 3:5). If God said to you, “Ask what I should give you,” how would you respond?
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B, Volume 2 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press)
Symbols of the Church
Symbols of the Church
“St Andrew's Cross” is a cross with two diagonal intersecting bars. It cross consists of slanting beams (also of different lengths), the term sloping cross is also used. There is this cross often at a level crossing.
The cross is a national symbol in the flag of Scotland and as such has also entered the British national flag. The flag of the Basque Country also has such an element. Also, as a traditional Orthodox symbol, the St. Andrew's Cross has become part of the flag of the Russian Navy (naval warfare flag).
Excerpted from Wikipedia
Click here for a page of symbols described in this publication.
Images enhancing
the scripture
“Lamp of wisdom“, metal sculpture at Waterperry Gardens, Oxfordshire
“The judgment of Solomon” by Master of Jean de Mandeville
“Judgment of Solomon” by by Nikolay Gay
Music founded
in the scripture
“Be careful little eyes“, catchy kids song
“Taste and see” by James Moore
“I sat down under his shadow” by Edward Bairstow
Other voices
about the scripture
“Eucharistic bombshells” by Rick Morley
“Turn in here“, self-guided retreat by Susan Guthrie
“Wisdom is sweeter than honey,
brings more joy than wine,
illumines more than the sun,
is more precious than jewels.
She causes the ears to hear
and the heart to comprehend.
I love her like a mother,
and she embraces me
as her own child.
I will follow her footprint
and she will not cast me away.
©Makeda, Queen of Sheba (c. 1000 BCE)
Movies representing some part of the scripture
“Jurassic Park” (1993, PG-13), where’s the wisdom in the science, Review
“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989, PG-13), choosing the right chalice requires wisdom, “humility in the presence of the holy is preferable to chasing after glory”, Review 1, Review 2
“The Wizard of Oz” (1939, G), the wind picked up Dorothy & Toto and took them to a place where nothing is the same, false “wisdom” commentator draws an interesting parallel drawn between “wizard’s wind” and “holy spirit” [Ed’s note: I guess the same might be said about Twister.], Review
For families: Study guide and activities (another guide), group activity, snacks—make heart shaped cookies to show Jesus’ love, kid video (about Ephesians)
For children: See family guide/activities (other activity); bulletin
For middlers: See family guide/activities (other activities—one and two); bulletin
For youth: In the reading from Proverbs, Wisdom 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.”
While the words are easy to understand, the meaning is not. What bread and wine is Wisdom referring to? This, we are told, is life-giving bread. We often use "consumption" as a metaphor for wholly embracing something, to be all in. Is it because when we consume anything it becomes part of us, to strengthen our bodies . . . or not; to build us up . . . or not; to enrich us . . . or not. What do you think? Comments here.
Coloring: Ephesians 5, Be careful
It's still Summer . . . And is still hot; ice cream is still cold. Let's continue to cool off with ice cream. So far this month, I've had praline pecan and java chunk ice creams. Umm, what will I have for my third choice? Oh, yes, Rocky Road. Yummy! What are you having?
Jesus’ discourse on the bread of life continues to be the center of our liturgy, as it has been now for several weeks. Jesus has met physical hunger by providing material bread (a primary Old Testament sign of salvation); he has said that a spiritual (or mystical) relationship with him constitutes the bread of eternal life; now he says that nourishment with his life is given by actually eating his flesh and drinking his blood. If we eat his body and drink his blood, we will have eternal life.
Using I Kings: After a reign of forty years, David died and was succeeded by Solomon, his son by Bathsheba. From the first we see the continued breakdown of David’s descendants. Even though God answers Solomon’s prayer to be wise and renews the promise to David’s family, Solomon, we are told, worships God not in Jerusalem but at one of the old pagan high places. This will bear bitter fruit for Solomon’s descendants and for Israel.
Using Proverbs: In the first reading, God’s Wisdom is personified as a hostess inviting us to eat her food and drink her wine, thereby receiving her into our lives. Early Christians understood Jesus as the incarnation of God’s Wisdom. This is, therefore, a passage that has been seen by Christians as an Old Testament prefiguring of our Savior who calling us into new life by becoming one with him sacramentally.
The second reading is once again from the letter to the Ephesians. We are exhorted to let God’s Spirit inebriate us and speak through us in thanksgiving and song.
“People with a story to tell and a song to sing” is a way Christians have been described. It is preeminently in liturgy that we carry out that role. We gather here to be fed physically, spiritually, and sacramentally. Our response is to give thanks (the word “eucharist” means “thanksgiving”) and, having told our story and sung our song here, to take it out to our brothers and sisters in the world.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
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