First Reading, Proverbs 9:1-6

The Historical and Literary Background: When, finally, God's people had more or less settled down, when there was a period without wars, when the religious traditions were fairly firmly established, they at last had the freedom to explore life's deeper questions. Paulist Father Lawrence Boadt, in "An Introduction to the Wisdom Literature of Israel" (within The Collegeville Bible Commentary, Collegeville, MN, The Liturgical Press, 1992), says their concerns included:

• a searching for the meaning of life and the mastery of life as it is known from experience and not from faith alone
• an eagerness to explore the unknown and the difficult problems of sickness, suffering, death, the inequality of rich and poor, the seeming arbitrariness of divine blessing on people
• a commitment to discovering proper moral behavior, the right way to live

All of that adds up to what we call wisdom, and the Bible's writings on the subject are called the Wisdom Literature. The Book of Proverbs is a major part of this Wisdom tradition. The writer wants to make people desire wisdom, so he uses many images to make wisdom attractive. In chapter nine, Wisdom is depicted as a wealthy, gracious hostess inviting the reader to a fine banquet. In later verses of the same chapter, Folly is described as offering one bread and stolen water in the company of shady guests.

Our Liturgical Setting: The editors of the lectionary chose this passage because of its banquet imagery and wisdom theme. Jesus, the new wisdom, invites us to an even more excellent banquet in today's gospel, John 6:51-58, which you should read in preparation.

Proclaiming It: How shall you proclaim this? With enthusiasm, as if you want people to come to your banquet, of course. Think of how you'd sound if you were a confident host or hostess inviting friends to a party of which you are really proud.

Second Reading, Ephesians 5:15-20

The Historical Situation: Earlier chapters of Ephesians are about the full revelation of God's long-secret plan for the world. The plan, it is now clear to Saint Paul, was to nourish a chosen people for many generations, then, in Christ, to extend that chosen status to the former outsiders, too. The letter is from a long-time insider, Paul, a Jewish Christian. He writes to the new insiders, Gentile Christians, former pagans. Like many letters of Paul, this one starts with doctrinal considerations (explicating God's plan, in this case), then switches to moral teaching. The Gentiles are so fortunate now that God has brought them into the orbit of grace, that their only proper response can be to live a holy life. In last Sunday's passage, Ephesians 4:30-5:2, the writer began a practical teaching about substituting good new behaviors for old bad ones, which continues in today's reading. The addressees are to avoid their former foolishness. They're not to get drunk any more, but to be Spirit-filled. Their talk is to be edifying.

Proclaiming It: You could give this a straightforward, matter-of-fact oral interpretation. Better would be to imagine yourself a wise elder talking to a young adult whom you love. That's closer to Saint Paul's relationship to the Ephesians. Be sure you know the meaning and pronunciation of debauchery.