All too many modern Christians think that they haven’t been faithful enough to earn a seat at the Great Banquet of God’s Kingdom. Texts to be read this weekend seek to negate this heresy and to assure the listener that God has plenty of steadfast love to go ’round! Forbears in the faith called this authentic reception of holy joy “sober inebriation”. Well, why not? Disciples have often practiced wild abandon in their journey to Perfection, realizing that Eternity has begun at birth rather than death.
Our first stop leads us to the wisdom of the Book of Proverbs, 9:1-6. Wisdom has set a festive table, and has invited those yet awaiting insight: “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.” Some prefer to graze their way through the buffet table; but this is instruction to consume enough wisdom-grace to bulge our eyes with sufficiency! Am I enjoying the depth of wisdom-grace, or am I squandering my days on that which doesn’t really satisfy? Although we gleefully stray from the immediacy of an abundant God, we’re really never out of God’s sight.
“Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise…” begins Chapter 5 of the Letter to the Ephesian Church. Even though Evil is always nearby, those filled with wisdom-grace understand the authenticity of the will of the Lord. There are lots of distractions (“wine”) to fritter away our moments–“but be FILLED with the Spirit… giving thanks to God the Father at ALL times and for EVERYTHING in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is what Martin L. Smith calls “a gentle resistance to the addictions that compromise our God-given freedom.” (SOJOURNERS, August 2018, page 45)
John 6:51-58 can be troublesome to those who recoil from the concept of actually consuming human flesh & blood. Martin Luther (& others) help me by suggesting that the emphasis be place on “MY”: “MY flesh is true food and MY blood is true drink”. Jesus differentiates between his gifts and those of the rest of the world; some addictions seem to satisfy our desires, but then become everyday…whereas the Presence of Christ doesn’t lose its shine. Will Willimon asserts that “the Fourth Gospel tries to train us limited, modern people in the expectation that now the Word has become flesh, we may expect more.” (FEASTING on the WORD, B 3:359) Following Jesus is one thing; CONSUMING Jesus is quite another! “His truth wants to burrow deep within us, to consume us as we consume him, to flow through our veins, to be digested, to nourish every nook and cranny of our being.” (Willimon, op.cit., p.361)
This digital age helps us to keep track of our accomplishments; and, perhaps, our shortcomings. Those in the pews and classrooms hearing these lections are urged to not be intimidated by lengthy rap-sheets…rather to sit deep and long at today’s Holy Banquet, enjoying Divine Hospitality and consuming until their souls can hold no more!
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My thoughts about Scripture passages assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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I like transubstanciation! Not a protestant thing but my thing. According to John, Jesus says this is my body and blood. Not a symbol which many say today. What happens when the priest / pastor prays over the elements before communion/mass changes the elements. It’s as if we are present in the upper room with Jesus at that original time! I wonder if many communicants see the wonder and power and miracle of this sacred act!
Once again thanks for your words
Glenn