Texts taken from the “On Your Word” Missal July-August 2024

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) 
4th week of the Psalter

FIRST READING

From the Book of Proverbs (Pr 9:1-6)
Wisdom has built her house, she has carved her seven columns. She has slaughtered her animals, prepared her wine, and set her table. She has sent her maidservants to proclaim on the highest points of the city: “Whoever is inexperienced, let him come here!” To the one who lacks sense she says: “Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have prepared. Abandon inexperience and live; proceed along the way of understanding.” - The Word of the Lord. 

Commentary on the First Reading

The wisdom books aim to offer useful reminders for becoming prudent and learning how to face life by seeking the right paths and the ways that lead to complete happiness. In addition to the exhortations of wise men, these biblical texts repeatedly present the role of Wisdom, portrayed as a person and described as a bride, mother, teacher, queen, architect of the world, and more. The text in question states that she has built herself a great house to welcome many people. As an active woman concerned with the good of humanity, she takes the initiative in inviting people to the banquet, sending her maidservants as missionaries. The meal is not presented as a simple snack; abundant food is offered, eaten openly rather than furtively, as happens at gatherings of the wicked. Beyond the image itself, the text seeks to suggest that inexperienced people in particular need to learn how they should live so as not to fall for deceptive proposals that are fleeting as well as poisonous. And everything that this special Woman offers - namely, her advice and suggestions - is extremely valuable for a life well lived.  

SECOND READING

From the Letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians (Eph 5:15-20)
Brothers and sisters, pay close attention to how you live, not as foolish people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be senseless, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery; instead, be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. - The Word of God. 

Commentary on the Second Reading

The Apostle, like a good father, offers some advice for an authentic Christian life. First of all, he urges us to be wise in discovering God’s will, without wasting time on sinful actions, seeking to resist evil, since life holds situations that are certainly not pleasant. As a second piece of advice, Paul invites us to be open to the action of the Holy Spirit, in order to receive the fullness of gifts that fill the soul with special graces. The comparison between wine and the Spirit helps us understand that the latter is not something empty or insubstantial, but produces a physical benefit as well, unlike wine when it is consumed in excess. As his final piece of advice, concluding what he has suggested, the Apostle urges us to pray, especially in community, out of a desire for brothers and sisters united to God to gather together. Prayer should not consist only of requests, but also of thanksgiving for what has been received. Everything concludes with praise, song, and the magnificence of God. These are useful recommendations not only for the Church of Ephesus, but for every Christian community. 

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to John (Jn 6:51-58)
At that time, Jesus said to the crowd: “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.” Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves: “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 live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the bread your ancestors ate and died. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” - The Word of the Lord.

Commentary on the Gospel of the Day

The themes presented earlier are taken up again. What is new is the assertion that it is necessary to eat the heavenly bread, which is Christ’s flesh, for the life of the world, together with the theme of drinking his blood. Thus, welcoming Christ is made concrete not only through absorbing and interiorizing his word as the food of life, but must also be expressed through actually eating and drinking. Indeed, whoever does not participate in the Eucharist cannot possess the life that only Jesus can communicate. It follows that there is an intimate connection between faith and the sacrament, which communicate the same saving effect. The sacrament cannot be separated from faith, and faith must also manifest itself by taking an active part in the Lord’s Supper. The life that results is characterized by an intimate and very close union between the believer and Christ, dwelling together in one another. This life originates with the Father, reaches Christ, and comes to his disciples. Against this communion of life, death is powerless, no longer able to reach the believer. Finally, only by virtue of this uninterrupted communion of life, maintained through the Eucharist, will Christ raise his faithful on the last day.