Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost (proper 15): August 20, 2006.

Proverbs 9:1-6

Psalm 34:9-14

Ephesians 5:15-20

John 6:51-58

First Reading

Wisdom in the Greek world was personified in the goddess Athena, in the Roman world the goddess Minerva (who popped right out of father Jupiter's head!). In Israelite wisdom, hakmah was a figure in the heavenly court of Yahweh. Solomon, the great king and son of David (also one who "got around"), was said to be the epitome of the wise man. Here Wisdom personified greets and invites those who would listen to "come to the banquet." Wisdom invites those in Israel who would follow Yahweh to put aside "simplemindedness" and live. The root patah means "to be inexperienced, to be naive or open to deception." Sounds like the sinner before the power of the Tempter. Would that Solomon had followed such counsel later in life!

The writer to the Ephesians also has counsel for those who have been baptized (5:14) and thus claimed by God. "Walk" in the Greek text is a metaphor for living one's life. Life was seen then, as often today, as a journey. The God-pleasing way to live is "thankfully."

"The Jews," Jesus' opponents, are thoroughly confused and frustrated at Jesus' talk about another banquet, the banquet of his body and blood. Jesus ties this banquet to the "feast" of manna in the wilderness, which God had provided for Israel. Miraculous, life-giving bread it was, bread not of Israel's labor but given, gifted, by Yahweh. This bread Jesus offers is also bread for which we who believe do not labor, living bread that comes to us as miraculously as manna from heaven and sustains us on our journey.

Pastoral Reflection

When I was a boy, these words were painted on the corner of every sidewalk in my hometown in the Chicago suburbs: "Stop, look, live." As a child I was admonished to "look both ways" and "not cross until the street is clear." Taking these words very seriously, one day I turned around from a trip to the local grocery and arrived back home without the goods for which my mother had sent me. Talk about "simplemindedness"!

We can become so fearful that we are paralyzed. We never reach our destination. We never accomplish our goals. We become afraid to "step off the curb."

Today's texts offer refreshment, encouragement, hope, and strength for all who become paralyzed by fear. As a mission developer I am buffeted by temptations to give up. Fear of failure stalks me at every door upon which I knock, every program we try to initiate, every meeting at which our lifelong Lutherans run up against those who are totally new to the faith. Fear is always bearing down on us. We began this mission with three persons plus myself, my wife, and our seven-year-old daughter, gathered around our kitchen table. Talk about fear!

Yet God has truly blessed God's people in Central Point, Oregon. A little church, owned by Baptists, became available; people responded to invitations; worship services began. The Word is preached, the sacraments administered, and members reach out to the community. "The one who eats of this bread will live forever!" Here in Oregon we trust Jesus' word, and we have found it to be powerful and true. TCG