Dear brothers and sisters, Let us eat the Bread from Heaven, which make us wise, not the Forbidden Fruit. Fr. Cielo

1. Welcome to our Bible Study
20th
Sunday in the Ordinary Time B
16 August 2015
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st
reading: Proverbs 9:1-6
1 Wisdom has built her house, she has set up
her seven columns. 2 She has dressed her
meat, mixed her wine, yes, she has spread her
table. 3 She has sent out her maidens; she calls
from the heights out over the city: 4 "Let
whoever is simple turn in here; to him who lacks
understanding, I say, 5 Come, eat of my food,
and drink of the wine I have mixed! 6 Forsake
foolishness that you may live; advance in the
way of understanding.
The focus is on eating the food and drinking the wine offered by the wise
man.

3. Textual Context of the Text
Structure of the Book of Proverbs (NAB)
1. Introduction: The Value of Wisdom (1,1—9,18)
2. First Collection of the Proverbs of Solomon (10,1—22,16)
3. Sayings of the Wise (22,17—24,22)
4. Other Sayings of the Wise (24,23-34)
5. Second Collections of the Proverbs of Solomon (25,1—29,27)
6. The Words of Agur (30,1-6)
7. Numerical Proverbs (30,7-33)
8. The Words of Lemuel (31,1-9)
9. The Ideal Wife (31,10-31)
The reading comes from the first part of the Book of Proverbs (which belongs
to a bigger context, the Wisdom Literature or Writings (Ketubim in Hebrew). It
is about the value of wisdom.

4. 1st
reading: Proverbs 9:1-6
 1 Wisdom has built her
house, she has set up
her seven columns; 2
She has dressed her
meat, mixed her wine,
yes, she has spread
her table. 3 She has
sent out her maidens;
she calls from the
heights out over the
city: 4 "Let whoever is
simple turn in here; to
him who lacks
understanding, I say, 5
Come, eat of my food,
and drink of the wine I
have mixed! 6 Forsake
foolishness that you
may live; advance in
the way of
understanding.
Commentary
In v.1, wisdom is portrayed as a
constructor, a builder of a beautiful
house.
In v.2, wisdom is also personified as
a good chef preparing good food for
a banquet.
In v.3, wisdom is described as one
responsible, sending maidens
(maidservants) to invite all city-
dwellers to come.
In v.4, wisdom qualifies who should
participate in the banquet: only the
simple and those lacking in
understanding (or wisdom), ignorant
but innocent.

5. 1st
reading: Proverbs 9:1-6
 1 Wisdom has built
her house, she has
set up her seven
columns; 2 She has
dressed her meat,
mixed her wine, yes,
she has spread her
table. 3 She has sent
out her maidens; she
calls from the heights
out over the city: 4
"Let whoever is
simple turn in here; to
him who lacks
understanding, I say,
5 Come, eat of my
food, and drink of the
wine I have mixed! 6
Forsake foolishness
that you may live;
advance in the way of
understanding.
In v.4, wisdom qualifies who should
participate in the banquet: only the
simple and those lacking in
understanding (or wisdom), ignorant
but innocent.
V.5 is the content of the invitation.
Here we get the impression that
wisdom is also a bartender.
In v.6, wisdom exhorts the listeners
(those invited) to stop acting
foolishly, why?
 in order to live
In v.6, wisdom also exhorts the
listeners to improve their capacity to
understand.
To understand is to act wisely.

6. Reflections on the 1st
reading
Through the book of the Proverbs, God speaks.
We, to whom God speaks, must respond to his
invitation.
He invites us to enter his house, to join in his
banquet and to share in his life.
As his guests, we must be prepared to abandon
our follies, our sins and our stupidities.
We must become wise like him.
How deep is your faith and spirituality?
How deep is your love? (in the words of the Bee Gees)

7. Responsorial Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
2 I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
3 Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
4 Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
5 I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
6 Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
7 When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.

8. Responsorial Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
 R. Taste and see the
goodness of the Lord.
 2 I will bless the LORD at all
times; his praise shall be ever
in my mouth.
3 Let my soul glory in the
LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be
glad.
 4 Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
5 I sought the LORD, and he
answered me and delivered
me from all my fears.
 6 Look to him that you may be
radiant with joy, and your
faces may not blush with
shame.
7 When the poor one called
out, the LORD heard, and
from all his distress he saved
him.
Commentary
Textual Context: It belongs to
Book I (chs. 1-41). It is one of the
original collections of the Davidic
Psalms.
Ps 34 is classified as a
thanksgiving Hymn.
In vv.2-3, the psalmist promises
to bless, praise and glorify the
Lord.
This is how the Psalmist makes
the lowly (the humble) rejoice.
In v.4, the psalmist invites people
to praise God with him.

9. Responsorial Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
 R. Taste and see the
goodness of the Lord.
 2 I will bless the LORD at all
times; his praise shall be ever
in my mouth.
3 Let my soul glory in the
LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be
glad.
 4 Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
5 I sought the LORD, and he
answered me and delivered
me from all my fears.
 6 Look to him that you may be
radiant with joy, and your
faces may not blush with
shame.
7 When the poor one called
out, the LORD heard, and
from all his distress he saved
him.
In v.5, he explains why they
should praise God with him.
The psalmist has experienced
the saving power of God.
V.6 exhorts the listeners to
search for God to be happy, to
keep head up high.
In v.7, the psalmist
acknowledges the power of
the prayer of the poor.
The Lord hears it and he
saves him from destruction.

10. Reflections on the Psalm
The psalm picks up the spirit of the first reading.
This time it is the psalmist who invites.
He invites us to celebrate with those who have
experienced salvation.
Are you able to rejoice with those who rejoice?
When you receive God’s blessings, do you invite others
to rejoice with you?
Are you wise?
In our Church, rejoicing is done in the context of the
liturgy, an organized celebration of God’s goodness and
love.
If you are able to appreciate eucharistic celebrations,
you must have become wise.

11. 2nd
reading: Ephesians 5:15-20
15 Watch carefully then how you live, not as
foolish persons but as wise, 16 making the most
of the opportunity, because the days are evil. 17
Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try
to understand what is the will of the Lord. 18
And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies
debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19
addressing one another (in) psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the
Lord in your hearts, 20 giving thanks always
and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ to God the Father.
The focus is on living as WISE.

12. Textual Context of the Text
Outline of Ephesians (Perkins)
1. Greeting (1,1-2)
2. Thanksgiving for redemption and knowledge of heavenly mysteries in Christ
(1:3-14)
3. Through the apostle God has made the Gentiles alive in Christ (1:15-3:21)
1. Prayer for the faith, love and hope of those whom God has made part of the body
of the heavenly Christ (1:15-23)
2. Contrast between their old "death" in sin and life in Christ (2:1-10)
3. Reconciliation of the Gentiles to God in the one body of Christ(2:11-22)
4. Paul's suffering and ministry to bring the Gentiles into the body of Christ (3:1-13)
5. Prayer for faith and love among Paul's converts (3:14-21)
4. Christian life in the world (4:1-6:20)
5. Unity in the body of Christ, which is built up by different ministries (4:1-16)
6. Old life in "darkness" contrasted with new life as "children of light" (4:17-
5:21)
7. Household code: Marriage in Christ; children and parents; slaves and
masters (5:22-6:9)
The reading belongs to the 6th part of the book in which Paul exhorts
Christians to live in the light, to live wisely. After this, Paul exhorts them to
avoid doing foolishness.

13. 2nd
reading: Ephesians 5:15-20
 15 Watch carefully then
how you live, not as foolish
persons but as wise, 16
making the most of the
opportunity, because the
days are evil. 17
Therefore, do not continue
in ignorance, but try to
understand what is the will
of the Lord. 18 And do not
get drunk on wine, in which
lies debauchery, but be
filled with the Spirit, 19
addressing one another
(in) psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and
playing to the Lord in your
hearts, 20 giving thanks
always and for everything
in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ to God the
Father.
Commentary:
In v. 15, the author (Paul!) exhorts
Christians to live as wise people.
V.16 teaches how to live wisely.
 Make the most of the opportunity.
(Keep doing good at all times).
 Never waste time idly.
In v.17, the author continues his
teaching.
 Understand the will of God. Don’t be
ignorant of it. (Study, discern.)
 Be filled with the holy Spirit, not wine.
V.18
 Singing spiritual songs to one
another and playing to the Lord. V.19
 Giving thanks to the Lord. V.20

14. Reflections on the 2nd
reading
Christians should be wise.
Christian wisdom constitutes in knowing the will of God
and doing good to others and to God.
Wise Christians live positively.
They waste no time in idle talks.
They are hard working.
You cannot have wisdom if you are intoxicated with
strong drinks and preoccupied with accumulating power,
money and prestige.
Instead, you will become a violator of human, animal,
women, children, laborers and environmental rights.

15. Gospel: John 6:51-58
Jesus the living bread
 51 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."
Jews’ reaction
 52The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this
man give us (his) flesh to eat?"
Life in Jesus by eating him
 53 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. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has
eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.
 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I
in him.
 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the
Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of
me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your
ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live
forever."
The focus is on feeding on Jesus.
Just a simple outline.

16. Gospel: John 6:51-58
Jesus the living bread
 51 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."
Jews’ reaction
 52 The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this
man give us (his) flesh to eat?"
Life in Jesus by eating him
 53 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. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has
eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.
 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I
in him.
 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the
Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of
me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your
ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live
forever."
The underlined words indicate what happens to those who eat him.

17. Textual Context of John 6:51-58 (Dodd)
Part One – Book of Signs (Jn 2-12)
Part Two – Book of Glory (Jn 13-20)
Our passage is within the Discourse of the Bread
of Life (6,22-58). It continues the topic of the
Bread from Heaven. Now Jesus says he is the
bread from heaven. It is followed by the “Words
of Eternal Life.”
The gospel was written between 90-100 AD for the
Johannine community.

18. Gospel: John 6:51-58
Jesus the living bread
51 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." 52
Jews’ reaction
The Jews quarreled
among themselves,
saying, "How can this
man give us (his) flesh
to eat?"
Commentary
The reading is a
continuation of the past
Sunday’s readings re the
Discourse on the Eucharist
(6,22-71).
In v.51, Jesus identifies
himself as the living bread
from heaven, not just an
ordinary bread.
In v.51b, Jesus assures
eternal life to those who take
him.
V.52 describes the reaction
of the Jews. They argue with
one another. They object to
the claim of Jesus.

19. Gospel: John 6:51-58
Life in Jesus by eating
him
 53 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. 54 Whoever eats
my flesh and drinks my
blood has eternal life,
and I will raise him on
the last day.
 55 For my flesh is true
food, and my blood is
true drink.
In v.53, Jesus reiterates the
necessity of feeding on him
to have life.
V.54 repeats v.51b which
assures eternal life and adds
another benefit, resurrection
on the last day.
V.55 guarantees his flesh
and blood as the true food,
not fake, not a useless or
fancy food.

20. Gospel: John 6:51-58
 56 Whoever eats my
flesh and drinks my
blood remains in me
and I in him.
 57 Just as the living
Father sent me and I
have life because of the
Father, so also the one
who feeds on me will
have life because of
me. 58 This is the
bread that came down
from heaven. Unlike
your ancestors who ate
and still died, whoever
eats this bread will live
forever."
In v.56, taking him means
remaining in him. It also means
Jesus remaining in the person, who
takes him.
In v.57, Jesus assures life to those
who feed on him. The life that is
promised is the same life assured
of Jesus, when he obeys the
Father.
V.58 repeats v.51: the bread
comes from heaven, not from
somewhere else.
It is different from the manna in the
desert. Their ancestors who
consumed it died.
Those who eat Jesus will not die.

21. Reflections on the gospel reading
The message of Jesus on taking his body and
blood is clear.
By all means, we must receive him to have life.
We must stop rationalizing or arguing (how is it
possible?), because this is a matter of faith.
All that Jesus demands of us is faith and
obedience.
Our catechism tells us that we should receive
Holy Communion regularly.
If there is any impediment, we must remove that
impediment immediately.

22. Tying the three readings and psalm
The first two readings talk about wisdom, while
the gospel reading talks about the eucharist.
We have a problem here.
Maybe we can solve it by looking at wisdom
through the eucharist or vice versa.
It is a wise move to participate in the eucharist.
In the eucharist, there is wisdom.
The psalm acknowledges God as the source of
spiritual food and wisdom.

23. How to develop your homily / sharing
Maybe, you should focus on wisdom, since we have
been focusing on the eucharist for the past Sundays.
Pick it (eucharist) up later before you end the homily.
Discuss wisdom according to your mind. Start from your
experience. (You become wise after committing a
mistake, or, after making a wrong decision which has
devastating effects, or, when you are reprimanded or
scolded in public.)
Share what happened when you insisted / imposed your
ideas or opinions, “your little learning or incomplete
data,” on other people.
Share also what you learned from your mistakes. (Now
you probably have more money, friends, etc. You are
more happy now, more at peace with yourself and your
God. And people appreciate you better, in your attitude,
behavior, and performance.)

24. Based on the first reading, we become
wise when we share in the life of God.
God is always inviting us to partake of his
meal and to dwell in his house.
To become wise, we must be open to his
invitations and share life in his presence.
God exhorts us to stop thinking or acting
foolishly or mindlessly.
He wants us to live meaningful lives.

25. The responsorial psalm is an invitation to
all of us to rejoice and bless the Lord.
As a group, we recognize God’s
goodness and providence.
It is wise to join in meaningful liturgical
celebrations.

26. The second reading is an invitation to live as wise
persons, not as foolish ones.
There are external manifestations, when we are acting
wisely or foolishly.
When we waste no time doing nothing, we are wise.
When we are busy serving the needs of others, we are
wise.
There is no wisdom in engaging in empty talks and
useless projects.

27. The gospel reading is an invitation to eat the food offered
by Christ.
It is wise to participate in the eucharistic meals of the
Church.
Jesus promises life eternal to people who respond to his
invitation.
We should be humble enough to admit that we cannot
attain salvation without being nurtured by Jesus.
In the gospel, Jesus is emphatic on receiving him.
The wise Christian should think that there is no better
way to be closer to Christ than to do what Jesus himself
teaches.

28. It is wise to receive the holy eucharist.
The eucharist is the sacrament of solemn
encounter between God and us.
In the eucharist, Jesus infuses wisdom on
us.
This wisdom brings us to eternal life.

29. Our Context of Sin and Grace
Unwise decisions
Bad moves
Hasty decisions
Too much risk taking
Gambling mentality
Fatalism
Intoxication
Indecision
Making important
decision when
emotionally disturbed
Wise decisions
Discernment
Doing homework well
Taking time in weighing
all sides
Good judgment
Has spiritual values
Docile
Has faith
Regularly receives the
eucharist

30. Suggested Songs
Cry of the Poor
Glorify the Lord with Me by Lucien Deiss
Sharing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1ij6D6EyeI
The Blessed Sacrament by Sebastian
Temple