SUNDAY, TWENTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Prv 9:1-6 Ps 34:2-3,10-15 Eph 5:15-20 Jn 6: 51-58
MAKING RIGHT CHOICES WITH GOD’S WISDOM
Life is a time for making crucial, important, eternal choices. Unimportant choices lead to an unimportant life; great choices lead to a life of greatness. In fact, we become what we choose. If we choose God, we grow daily in His love, and if we choose to love others, we find true happiness. The readings of this Sunday invite us to reflect on the profound choices we make in life, the inspiration that guides these choices, and the life lessons we gather from them. Wisdom literature, the psalms, and the teachings of Paul conclude in Jesus’ discourse on the Bread of Life, challenging us to choose wisely, find inspiration in Christ, and embrace the lessons of faith.
Today’s first reading sets the stage with a vivid portrayal of Wisdom’s invitation. Wisdom, personified as a woman, prepares a feast and calls out to the simple to leave behind their foolish ways and live. This reading highlights the fundamental choice between wisdom and folly. The imagery of wisdom preparing a feast signifies God’s invitation to partake in divine wisdom and understanding. It emphasizes the idea that true wisdom comes from God and that living a life of insight and righteousness requires turning away from foolishness. This invitation is open to all symbolizing God’s universal call to a deeper relationship with Him through wisdom.
The Responsorial Psalm invites us to “taste and see that the Lord is good,” urging a choice to seek the Lord and experience His goodness. It encourages the faithful to trust in God, to turn to Him in times of trouble, and to rely on His goodness and protection. The psalm also invites communal worship and gratitude, reminding believers of the importance of collective praise. The blessings that come from making the right choice, choosing to live in reverence and trust in God.
In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul exhorts us to “be careful how we live, not as unwise people but as wise.” Here, the apostle stresses the importance of making deliberate, thoughtful choices. Paul differentiates wisdom with foolishness and admonishes us to be filled with the Spirit, suggesting that true joy and fulfilment come from a life led by the Spirit. This passage encourages mutual improvement through spiritual songs and constant gratitude, highlighting the communal aspect of Christian life. This reading reminds us that our choices reflect our spiritual state and affect our mutual life.
The Gospel presents the ultimate choice to accept or reject Jesus as the Bread of Life. Jesus declares, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever.” This Gospel reading is central to the understanding of the Eucharist in Christian theology. Jesus’ discourse on the Bread of Life reveals the deep mystery of His presence in the Eucharist, offering eternal life to those who partake in it. This passage challenges the faithful to recognize the profound significance of the Eucharist, not just as a symbol, but also as a real participation in the life of Christ. It calls believers to a deeper faith and commitment to the sacrament, understanding it as essential for spiritual sustenance and eternal life. This statement challenges the listeners to make a crucial decision: to embrace Jesus and the eternal life He offers or to turn away. This choice has eternal consequences, as Jesus emphasizes that eating His flesh and drinking His blood is essential for eternal life.
Let us reflect on the power and importance of choice in our lives. Our faith teaches us that every decision we make is an opportunity to align ourselves more closely with God’s will. Whether it is choosing to forgive, to serve, or to stand up for what is right, each choice is a step on our journey of faith. Let us remember, that the Holy Spirit is always with us, guiding and strengthening us. Trust in God’s wisdom, seek His counsel in prayer, and let His love be the foundation of all our decisions. As we journey towards our eternal destiny may we be inspired to make choices that reflect our commitment to Christ and our love for one another.
Response: Taste and see that the Lord is good.
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