{"id":849510,"date":"2021-07-09T17:53:51","date_gmt":"2021-07-09T21:53:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/?post_type=bible_study&#038;p=249510"},"modified":"2026-06-23T19:12:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T23:12:58","slug":"bible-study-pentecost-12-b-august-15-2021","status":"publish","type":"bible_study","link":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/bible_study\/bible-study-pentecost-12-b-august-15-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Bible Study: Proper 15 (B) \u2013 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/lectionary\/proper-15b\/\">RCL: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14; Psalm 111; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Bible-Study-Graphic-2-1024x536.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-249518\" width=\"512\" height=\"268\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">God writes straight with crooked lines, and Solomon certainly was a crooked line! Our reading today presents the idealized Solomon \u2013 humble, righteous, and God-fearing. After all, he is concerned foremost about serving God and being a wise ruler. But the context of our reading reveals that Solomon was a complicated man, with a but qualified love for God. The three verses preceding our lection remind us that Solomon brought a foreign wife to Jerusalem and worshipped at \u201chigh places\u201d in violation of the Law, and first built a house for himself before building one for God. Subsequent history witnesses Solomon\u2019s oppressive rule resulting in a split between the kingdoms of Judah and Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rather than holding Solomon as a role model, we might interpret this narrative as an invitation to reflect upon God\u2019s call to the imperfect, to the undeserving, and the flawed \u2013 in other words, to each of us. This is the mystery and miracle of God\u2019s grace \u2013 we can\u2019t do anything to become worthy of it but open our hearts and say yes to this gracious gift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>How have you experienced God\u2019s grace through your flaws and imperfections?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Psalm 111<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our psalm takes the form of a beautifully creative acrostic poem \u2013 each line begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Within this literary architecture are timeless words of wisdom that nurture and nourish us on our journey toward holiness. The poet\u2019s themes include the following, all evocative of the exodus and Sinai experience \u2013 God initiates relationship with us through gracious action, we are called to respond in gratitude; we praise God both in formal liturgy and also in our way of living; \u201cfear of the Lord\u201d is authentic knowledge, the key to a fruitful life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notice that \u201cfear of the Lord\u201d is placed in the middle of the text (for ancient authors the most important place) and the final verse. Our attention is drawn to this phrase, the foundation of all wisdom teaching. To fear the Lord is to acknowledge that there is a God, and I am not it, and I am ready to submit myself to God\u2019s instruction. Psalm 111 invites us to recall what God has done for our ancestors and wants to graciously do for us, yet God patiently awaits our \u201cyes\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>How are you being called to a deeper sense of \u201cfear of the Lord\u201d?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ephesians 5:15-20<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We have a great turn of phrase in our reading &#8211; \u201cMaking the most of the time because the days are evil.\u201d Literally in Greek, \u201credeeming the time.\u201d \u201cEvil days\u201d probably was a reference to the expected apocalypse, but we can reinterpret the phrase as a comment on our historical moment. How are we being called to \u201credeem the time\u201d during these days of evil?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each of us and our communities must answer this question for ourselves; our verses from Ephesians can serve as inspiration. Let\u2019s briefly look at a few key themes that touch on some core Christian theological concepts. First, \u201cPaul\u201d underscores that Christian faith is <em>communal<\/em>. One cannot alone be a disciple of Jesus. Christian anthropology doesn\u2019t allow for a solitary faith. Bishop Desmond Tutu put it this way: \u201cIt is not \u2018I think therefore I am.\u2019 It is rather, \u2018I am human because I belong. I participate. I share.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Second, Christians live with boundaries. We submit ourselves to a discipline characterized by self-control. The author implies a two-fold point in his warning about drinking wine \u2013 this harms the body of the individual but also the corporate body. In other words, one\u2019s actions have consequences not only for the individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Third, note that our passage begins with a mention of wisdom and ends with a mention of the Spirit. Being \u201cfilled with the Spirit\u201d can be interpreted as learning the ways of Wisdom. In the Hebrew Bible, the terms \u201cwisdom,\u201d \u201cword,\u201d and \u201cSpirit\u201d were interchangeable. This inspiration bears fruit in harmonious living with others in our communities, which our author symbolizes with images of singing, playing, and addressing one another in psalms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>What challenges from our culture face the Christian notions of community, boundaries, and living in the Spirit of Wisdom?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>John 6:51-58<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On one level, this week\u2019s Gospel is about the Eucharist. On another, our verses could be interpreted as a commentary on being part of the Christian community. I\u2019d like to focus on this latter approach. Let\u2019s consider the Greek word John chose to use for \u201cflesh\u201d \u2013 <em>sarx<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the New Testament, <em>sarx <\/em>is usually (but not always) used in a negative way. \u201cFlesh\u201d is often a metaphor for selfishness or actions done apart from the wisdom and guidance of God. <em>Sarx<\/em> also refers to the soft, ephemeral, mortal, corruptible aspect of the human being. Interestingly, John could have used another word \u2013 <em>soma\u00ad<\/em> \u2013 usually translated as \u201cbody.\u201d In the New Testament, this term is used to describe the resurrected, glorified body of Jesus, and the redeemed body of the Christian. <em>Soma<\/em> carries a positive connotation. So why did John choose <em>sarx<\/em> over <em>soma<\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scripture uses the phrase \u201cbody of Christ\u201d in three distinct ways \u2013 Jesus\u2019 physical body, the Eucharist, and the body of believers. <em>Soma<\/em> is an appropriate word for the first two, but I suggest that <em>sarx<\/em> is fitting for the third. To follow Jesus is to be a part of a community, and we know that this is no easy task. Communities are messy, difficult, corruptible, dysfunctional, and sometimes (like our fleshy bodies) they stink! But if we\u2019re going to have the \u201clife\u201d Jesus is talking about, we need to be nourished with his flesh, the community. We have to learn to eat this flesh and drink this blood. This is indeed a hard teaching, and it is the reason that many turn away (I know many times I have been tempted to \u201cspit out\u201d this food and drink!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, we might also hear in Jesus\u2019 teaching to \u201ceat [his] flesh\u201d a call to be a nourishing, nurturing community, not junk food. Jesus needs us to cooperate with his grace so that we, his body, can be <em>life<\/em> for those who feed on him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>How can we as a community be true food and drink for each other and the world?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-file\"><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-5e118f5e-0c00-4988-99fd-31d74319739b\" href=\"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Bible-Study-Proper-15B-English.docx\">Word \u2013 Pentecost 12 (B) Bible Study<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Bible-Study-Proper-15B-English.docx\" class=\"wp-block-file__button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-5e118f5e-0c00-4988-99fd-31d74319739b\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-file\"><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-1e76621d-2b4f-4d96-bf2f-d2ad16b86434\" href=\"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Bible-Study-Proper-15B-English.pdf\">Word \u2013 Pentecost 12 (B) Bible Study<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Bible-Study-Proper-15B-English.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-1e76621d-2b4f-4d96-bf2f-d2ad16b86434\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>RCL: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14; Psalm 111; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14 God writes straight with crooked lines, and Solomon certainly was a crooked line! Our reading today presents the idealized Solomon \u2013 humble, righteous, and God-fearing. After all, he is concerned foremost about serving God and being a wise ruler. But&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":201221,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[23,52,33,3],"tags":[339],"class_list":["post-849510","bible_study","type-bible_study","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bible-studies","category-sermons-that-work","category-the-season-after-pentecost","category-worship-and-prayer-menu","tag-proper-15b"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":23,"label":"Bible Studies"},{"value":52,"label":"Sermons That Work"},{"value":33,"label":"The Season After Pentecost"},{"value":3,"label":"worship_and_prayer_menu"}],"post_tag":[{"value":339,"label":"Proper 15B"}]},"featured_image_src_large":false,"author_info":[],"comment_info":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bible_study\/849510","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bible_study"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/bible_study"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bible_study\/849510\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":952129,"href":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bible_study\/849510\/revisions\/952129"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=849510"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=849510"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=849510"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}