So much noise bombards our senses these days, it can be difficult to think clearly. As today’s readings suggest, it can be difficult to tell Wisdom from Folly. But our reflection reminds us that we can work to clear away the detritus from our lives and discern more clearly. One of our chief methods for doing so can be the eucharist: where the chaos of everyday life gives way to the order of Love’s call to give what we can and be grateful.

August 18, 2024: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B‍

Proverbs 9:1-6

Psalm 34:2-7

Ephesians 5:15-20

John 6:51-58

The Eucharist as Stepping into Wisdom’s House

Lucky seven is a theme in today’s readings. In the Scriptures, the number seven is often symbolic for wholeness or completion. We remember, “On the seventh day, God rested (Genesis 2:2).” In the first reading, Wisdom built her house – which has seven pillars. Later in this chapter, we meet Lady Folly. Both call “the simple;” that is, people who are willing to listen and follow.  Wisdom is calling people to a bountiful feast, Folly to a meal of stolen water and food. The contrasts are interesting too. Wisdom is wise and Folly is a fool. Those with Wisdom are with the living, and with Folly they are with the dead. The focus of this reading is not on Folly, but I think it is important to know both paths. We do not want to fall into the trap of Folly which tempts us with partial truths and immediate gratification. Wisdom calls us to completion and wholeness. We leave our simplistic ways and move toward greater love and faith.

Wisdom is the theme in the reading from Ephesians as well. The author urges the audience to be wise, to follow wisdom and not imbibe in the pleasures of the flesh – again, Biblical imagery for selfishness and immediate gratification. Instead, we are called to fill ourselves with the Spirit – considering long-term meaning and purpose. How do we do that? I’ll bet you are doing it now. You are reading this reflection – I suspect with an open heart – and I am trying to channel the Spirit; that is, I am inviting myself and any readers to think about what matters most in our faith journey and to make choices based on those priorities. Honestly, I am still working on this, but I feel that I am not alone. We are all seeking to learn God’s will (Ephesians 5:17). Often, we try to do that prayer and meditation. I will admit meditation is not easy for me, but I try. I am getting better, but the world creeps in on me. I think the path I am on is where I should be. The more I read God’s word, and the more I listen to others who are in the same mindset, I feel closer to God. I feel that I am going towards the way of wisdom, moving toward perfection in Wisdom’s house, and not death in Folly’s.

The passage from John really rounds out the message from the Scriptures by applying it to the eucharist. Jesus is the living bread: if we eat this bread we will live forever. Some choose to read these words in an overly literal way, pretending that Jesus was referring to human flesh. But this passage refers to the life-giving Christian ritual of offering our lives to God under the symbols of bread and wine, and then Divine Love transforming our meager gifts into the presence of Christ in the world. This pattern is what we must take in to have life and to be wise. The eucharist teaches us the wisdom of offering our lives to Love and trusting that the Spirit transforms our imperfect actions into a more perfect unity. Folly suggests we have to make sure we get what’s coming to us, the wisdom of the eucharist prioritizes giving what we can.

Each of these readings center the transcendent wisdom of living in relationship with Divine Love. I know in my past, and present if I am being honest, I have lived in the folly of prioritizing my personal gain. I missed the wisdom of the loving path of generosity and community. I see this dynamic in modern times with scammers on the internet. I know I have fallen for them a few times! They tell you what you want to hear to draw you in – we know it sounds too good to be true! But still we are tempted: maybe this is our turn to get rich quick! We need to take that energy and put that into God. We can read, listen to podcasts, even watch YouTube and TikTok videos and find true wisdom if we are careful. We can be welcomed into Wisdom’s house and have that bountiful meal. We can eat and drink of the Presence of Love and share in the eternal life of Wisdom. These are the actions that can lead us into wholeness – the wholeness of Wisdom’s house – which we are invited to step into, and embody, every time we share in the eucharist.

Thomas DeVoyd is a nurse in long term care and works with resident with Dementia. He is an advocate for his residents and has a Masters Degree in Nursing in Adult Psych/ Mental Health. He is also an advocate for the LGBTQI+ community. Tom currently lives in a small town in NH with his partner of years Phil. He enjoys reflecting on the scriptures and focusing on the world of when the scriptures were written.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

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