Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 18 August 2024 Homily for 18 August 2024 – Sunday
First Reading: Proverbs 9: 1-6
Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars. (1)
“You that are simple, turn in here!” To those without sense she says, (4)
Lay aside immaturity and live, and walk in the way of insight.” (6)
The author of Proverbs describes the Wisdom of God in this proverb. Wisdom is personified as a gracious lady who invites the simple! Being simple does not mean being foolish but rather being of an open and humble disposition. To open the heart, mind, and spirit to the Lord; we need to approach him in humility. He knows our intentions and will bless our efforts accordingly.
We the people of the New Testament, have been blessed by Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit. He dwells in us and we ought to humbly bend our minds so that we can hear his quiet counsel in the stillness of our soul.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 34: 2-3, 10-15
My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. (2)
Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. (13-14)
Alleluia, Amen!
Second Reading: 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. (15-17)
In the letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul describes the life of a true disciple. “For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light.” (v.8) As “Children of Light” he warns us then, to live wisely! While we may wonder what the purpose of God is for us, we are given a clue in this passage today! As we make most of the time, one step at a time; we will realize His purpose for us! Everyone who has fulfilled God’s purpose in their lives has done so by being obedient in the small daily actions without being given a fully structured blueprint of every detail or step to be followed! It is while on the job, in the grind, that the will of God can be discerned! We know many great saints and people of God who followed His Will; the greatest example is Mother Mary!
In verses 6-9, St. Paul also warns us about being deceived by empty words! Empty words could be our negative self-talk and/or the enemy’s words slipping into our language! Let us not be deceived but remain rooted in the Word of God and believe what He says about us – “Children of Light”!
Let us ensure that we produce fruits that are good and right and true. Let us not be greedy or drunk on anything that may lead us away from His purpose! Being greedy is equaled to idolatry, (V.5) which could be greed for food, money, name, power, validation, attention, and so on. Being drunk is equaled to debauchery. (v.18) The enemy knows our weaknesses; it is time we know them too!
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
Alleluia: John 6: 56
Alleluia! Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.
The Holy Eucharist is the food and drink we most desire!
Alleluia!
Gospel: John 6: 51-58
“For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. (55)
We can begin to grasp the mystery of the Holy Eucharist today, because we receive the true body and blood of Christ, and the Holy Spirit reveals Him to us! The Jews could not comprehend this great mystery at that time. (v.52) But we are blessed to be able to receive Christ Jesus in us through the Holy Eucharist! The Lord GOD who creates the tiniest speck of sand on the shores, the intricate folds of the orchids, the humungous mountains, valleys, and the galaxies; created the Holy Eucharist for us mere mortals!
“It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”(63)
We ask the Lord God that we may renew our life in the Spirit through the Holy Eucharist. In the name of Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen!
