Pew Sheet, Sunday, August 18th 2024. Twelfth Sunday after Trinity / Proper 15
In the last two weeks, we have been considering how Jesus repeatedly told the crowd that he was the ‘bread of life’ or as today’s reading puts it, the ‘living bread that has come down from heaven’. But Jesus’ listeners are still struggling to see beyond the literal words he speaks to their spiritual meaning: that he has come to offer us spiritual food and sustenance, the only food which can satisfy the deepest hunger in our hearts, which is to experience and know the peace of God’s love for us, and to be in right relationship with him. So far, all references to bread have been quite generic, which is why those listening could say, ‘Sir, give us this bread always’ in our previous week’s readings, thinking, apart from their literal assumptions, that the bread would be given to all, just as the manna was given to all the Israelites in the wilderness.
In today’s reading however, Jesus ups the ante and tells them that the bread of which he has spoken is actually, ‘my flesh,’ a comment which confuses them even further, since the notion of eating human flesh is totally anathema to them, and with good reason. All of the references to cannibalism (though the word is not used explicitly in the scriptures), in the Law (Leviticus 26:29; Deuteronomy 28:53-57;), in the Prophets (Jeremiah 19:9, Ezekiel 5:10), and in their poetry (Lamentations 2:20), attribute the eating of human flesh to the extreme suffering which will one day afflict the people of Israel when they are besieged in their cities by an invading army. This actually happened in the famine stricken northern Kingdom of Israel when the armies of Ben-Hadad, King of Aram, besieged the city of Samaria when Elisha was still prophet in Israel (2 Kings 6:28-29), a story which Jesus’ listeners knew, and marked one of the lowest points in their history. It was the complete antithesis of God blessing the people, though the siege was eventually lifted with Elisha’s help.
It is no wonder then, that Jesus’ listeners started disputing among themselves wondering how, or indeed why, he would offer them his flesh to eat, because they associated it not with blessing, but with God’s punishment or cursing. But Jesus persists once more saying, ‘unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you… for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink’. Jesus’ words here must have sounded insane, and completely heretical when aligned with the Law’s prohibition on eating or
drinking anything containing blood at all. Why on earth would he ask them to do such a thing, and not just ask; but to insist upon it, as the only way by which they might obtain the eternal life of which he was speaking?
We know of course; that Jesus had no intention of making anyone do so, but instead, on the night before he died, took bread and wine, offering them as sacramental symbols or tokens of the physical body and blood he was about to offer for our sakes on the cross, asking that all who believe in that promise continue to do so in memory of that supreme sacrifice. In doing so, the bread and wine become not only our spiritual food for the work he would have us continue in his name when we go out from our churches into the world as his disciples each Sunday; but represent as well, our ‘communion’ or participation with him in the risen, resurrection life he promises to give to each of us when we die. In accepting the bread and wine we are humbly acknowledging both our need of his sustaining grace, and our confidence that he will be made alive in us, and we in him, when we break bread and drink wine as he commanded us to do. This is why ‘Communion’ is not just something we do in our churches each week, but is the relationship we have with him forever if we truly believe in his promise. This is why we also call it ‘The Eucharist’ from the Greek word eucharistia, which means ‘thanksgiving’. This is why Paul reminds both us and the Ephesians to make, ‘melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ’ as we respond to the Bread of Life afresh each time we meet.
Collect
God of constant mercy, who sent your Son to save us,
remind us of your goodness and increase your grace within us,
that our thankfulness may grow, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Proverbs 9:1-6
Wisdom has built her house. She has hewn her seven pillars.
She has slaughtered her animals and she has mixed her wine.
She has also set her table.
She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls from the highest places in the town:
‘You that are simple, turn in here!’
To those without sense she says,
‘Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight.’
Ephesians 5:15-20
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 6:51-58
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’
The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 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, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’
Post Communion Prayer
God of all mercy,
in this eucharist you have set aside our sins and given us your healing:
grant that we who are made whole in Christ may bring that healing to this broken world, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Please pray this week for…
Our churchwardens: George, Jo, Carolyn, Ian and Caroline, and for everyone serving us on our PCCs. Pray as well for the family of John Goodman whose funeral will be held at St Laurence’s on the 27th of August, and continue to pray for Heidi Meakin and all of David’s family. David’s funeral will take place on Tuesday the 3rd of September at 11am at St John the Evangelist Church in Whitchurch. Pray as well for Bonnie Louise Russell and Rylie Mae Williamson-Wyatt who are being baptised this weekend, and for Jak Cluness and Chloe Jennings-Heath as they prepare for their wedding next weekend.
This Week’s Events
Monday
Bell ringing at 7.30pm in St Laurence. Contact Jan on 07835 461361.
Tuesday (Bernard of Clairvaux, Teacher of the Faith, 1153; William and Catherine Booth, Founders of the Salvation Army, 1912 and 1890)
Zoom Morning Prayer at 9am ID: 748 9970 4493 Password: Trinity or contact Didier on [email protected]
Wednesday
Morning Coffee from 10.00-11.45 in the St Laurence Rooms.
Midweek Holy Communion at 12.00 noon, St Laurence Church.
Saturday (Bartholomew the Apostle)
Pastoral Care
Please call 07305 271148 or email [email protected]
Please don’t forget…
To bring your bottles to church for the parish stall at the Winslow Show on Bank Holiday Monday, the 26th August. Thank you all for your generosity in helping us to raise much needed funds for the fabric of the church.
Volunteers needed
Paul Cresswell is still looking for volunteers for the St Laurence Charity shop. Please do speak to him if you could spare a few hours a month to support this valuable work and meet other people in the process.
We are also still looking for volunteers to help lead the children’s Vestry Club which meets in the St Laurence Rooms during the first part of the service. If you would like to find out more, please do speak to Jo in the first instance.
Likewise, if you can help out with the preparation of breakfast after Creative Communion services or are happy to go on the rota to help with coffee and refreshments after all of our church services, reading the Bible lessons, or leading our weekly intercessions please do speak to Jo or George in the first instance.
Many thanks!