You don't stop laughing because you grow old; you grow old beause you stop laughing.

Lectionary Passages for August 20, 2006 [Proper 15 (20)  [Year B]

1 Kings 2:10-12        Theme: wise, priorities

10Then David died and was buried in the City of David. 11He had reigned over Israel for forty years, seven of them in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. 12Solomon succeeded him as king, replacing his father, David, and he was firmly established on the throne.

1 Kings 3:3-14       

3Solomon loved the LORD and followed all the instructions of his father, David, except that Solomon, too, offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local altars. 4The most important of these altars was at Gibeon, so the king went there and sacrificed one thousand burnt offerings. 5That night the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!"

    6Solomon replied, "You were wonderfully kind to my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued this great kindness to him today by giving him a son to succeed him. 7O LORD my God, now you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn't know his way around. 8And here I am among your own chosen people, a nation so great they are too numerous to count! 9Give me an understanding mind so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great nation of yours?"

    10The Lord was pleased with Solomon's reply and was glad that he had asked for wisdom. 11So God replied, "Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people and have not asked for a long life or riches for yourself or the death of your enemies-- 12I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding mind such as no one else has ever had or ever will have! 13And I will also give you what you did not ask for--riches and honor! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! 14And if you follow me and obey my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life."

Psalm 34:9-14        Theme: fear

9
    Let the LORD's people show him reverence,
       for those who honor him will have all they need.

    10
    Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
       but those who trust in the LORD will never lack any good thing.

    11
    Come, my children, and listen to me,
       and I will teach you to fear the LORD.

    12
    Do any of you want to live
       a life that is long and good?

    13
    Then watch your tongue!
       Keep your lips from telling lies!

    14
    Turn away from evil and do good.
       Work hard at living in peace with others.

John 6:51-58        Theme: Closeness

51I am the living bread that came down out of heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; this bread is my flesh, offered so the world may live."

    52Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" they asked.

    53So Jesus said again, "I assure you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. 54But those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them at the last day. 55For my flesh is the true food, and my blood is the true drink. 56All who eat my flesh and drink my blood remain in me, and I in them. 57I live by the power of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, those who partake of me will live because of me. 58I am the true bread from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever and not die as your ancestors did, even though they ate the manna."

Ephesians 5:15-20        Theme:  Holy Spirit

Living by the Spirits Power
 15So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. 16Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days.

 17Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the lord wants you to do. 18Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. 19Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.