[Propertalk] Gospel references for August 16, 2009, Part 3

[Joe Parrish]

Belief in the proposition that Jesus' death is efficacious for salvation, no
matter how fervently held, does not have the power to communicate divinity from
Jesus to the one who holds the proposition to be true. There must be something
bodily going on between Christ and believers (starting with Christ and moving to
believers!) in order that the life of God, which is fully present in the Son, becomes
their life as well.
Such a communication of divine life is indeed the promise given by Jesus to
all who eat his flesh and drink his blood.

http://www.luthersem.edu/word&world/Archives/17-1_Communion/17-1_Fredrickson.pdf

David E. Fredrickson, 1997
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In Series B, however, the lectionary has clustered five texts from John 6 in consecutive
Sundays. From the 10th Sunday after Pentecost to the 14th, we meet the following texts: John
6:1-15, 24-35, 41-51, 51-58 and 60-69. If you are a solo pastor, preaching on the same chapter in
John for the four Sundays in August and Labor Day weekend is not the most attractive option.
Vacation plans might thankfully intervene in your schedule. If you serve in a staff situation, more
than likely the one who is up for the Sunday following your sermon on John 6 will kindly inform
you that you just preached the sermon being developed from the text for the next Sunday. If you
find yourself in either situation, you might wonder what to do that is responsible and faithful not
only to the text but also to your context of ministry. It is a splendid opportunity to help your
congregation begin to see the majesty and depth of this Gospel as seen through one of its finest
chapters.

http://www.luthersem.edu/word&world/Archives/5-3_Imagination/5-3_Berge.pdf

Paul S. Berge, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1985

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If we're to make any impact for God on the life of the world, even our own small bit of it, like Jesus we have to become bread for it. Give our humanity for it. ('Flesh' translates very adequately as 'humanity', I suggest.) 

http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/marginallymark/MMKJN65158P10.html

Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia

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There is an Irish saying, "the person who speaks the truth should have one foot in the stirrup." He should be ready to ride off at once. People do not like the truth, especially when it challenges their attitudes; and the reaction is often to try to destroy the evidence of the truth or the one who witnesses to it. The political and religious authorities of the time of Jesus were at enmity most of the time. Now, instead of listening to his challenge to internalize their publicized values and bring their attitudes and behavior into conformity with them, they decide to work together to plot the death of Jesus. 

http://www.bible.claret.org/liturgy/daily/sundays_pierse/cycleB/B_20thSunOT.htm

Gerry Pierse

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Early Christians were indeed accused of human sacrifice - cannibalism - and the drinking of human blood as people heard snippets of their beliefs: "they meet to eat flesh and drink blood". These accusations were cited as cause for persecution - after all, what civilised society would tolerate such behaviour?



In response, we tend to over-spiritualise this teaching. We know that Jesus is speaking of a mystical Body and mystical Blood and that their meaning goes beyond mere altar bread and sip of wine. We know that receiving Bread and Wine brings us into Communion with Christ himself and with all who form the Body of Christ - living and dead. 


http://www.wellsprings.org.uk/weekly_wellsprings/year_b/sunday_20.htm

Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner

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