Scripture readings

Focus on Scripture Friday (Vol 23)

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading

Prov 9:1-6

Wisdom invites all to her feast. Folly calls another way.

[1] Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn her out seven pillars. [2] She hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set forth her table. [3] She hath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to the walls of the city: [4] Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me. And to the unwise she said: [5] Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you.

[6] Forsake childishness, and live, and walk by the ways of prudence.

Second Reading

Eph 5:15-20

[15] See therefore, brethren, how you walk circumspectly: not as unwise,

[16] But as wise: redeeming the time, because the days are evil. [17] Wherefore become not unwise, but understanding what is the will of God. [18] And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury; but be ye filled with the holy Spirit, [19] Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord; [20] Giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father:

Gospel

John 6:51-58

[51] I am the living bread which came down from heaven. [52] If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world. [53] The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat? [54] Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. [55] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.

[54] Eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood: To receive the body and blood of Christ, is a divine precept, insinuated in this text; which the faithful fulfil, though they receive but in one kind; because in one kind they receive both body and blood, which cannot be separated from each other. Hence, life eternal is here promised to the worthy receiving, though but in one kind. Ver. 52. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh for the life of the world. Ver. 58. He that eateth me, the same also shall live by me. Ver. 59. He that eateth this bread, shall live for ever.

[56] For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed. [57] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him. [58] As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me.