FORSAKE FOOLISHNESS | The Word Exposed with Cardinal Tagle (August 18, 2024)

Summary

In this episode of 'The Word Exposed,' the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time is celebrated with a reflection on Jesus as the 'bread of life.' The homily explores the wisdom offered in the readings, particularly the concept of forsaking foolishness in favor of divine wisdom. The discussion highlights the importance of discerning God's will through the Holy Spirit and emphasizes the transformative power of the Eucharist. The episode concludes with a message on the grace of old age, encouraging the elderly to continue their spiritual journey through prayer and intercession.

Takeaways

• 📖 The Gospel reflects on Jesus's discourse about being the living bread that came down from heaven, offering eternal life to those who partake in His flesh and blood.
• 🧠 The first reading from Proverbs emphasizes wisdom, encouraging people to forsake foolishness and seek understanding through spiritual nourishment.
• 🙏 The second reading from Ephesians calls for careful living, urging believers to be filled with the Spirit and to live wisely, discerning God's will.
• 🥖 Jesus's statement about being the bread of life confused many listeners, as they struggled to understand the concept of eating His flesh for eternal life.
• 💡 Wisdom is personified in the readings, offering a banquet of spiritual nourishment that leads to a deeper understanding of God and His will.
• 🍷 St. Paul advises against indulgence in worldly pleasures, instead encouraging believers to seek the Holy Spirit for true wisdom and discernment.
• 🎯 The Gospel emphasizes that true life comes from accepting Jesus's offering of His flesh and blood, which may seem foolish to some but is the path to eternal life.
• 🏡 The importance of the Eucharist is highlighted, as it represents Jesus's real presence and the ultimate act of love and unity with humanity.
• 🌿 Old age is viewed as a time of grace, where the elderly can deepen their faith and continue to respond to God's call through prayer and intercession.
• 👵 The elderly are encouraged to see themselves as a blessing to their families, communities, and the church, contributing wisdom, prayer, and presence.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time according to the script?

The main theme is Jesus's discourse on the bread of life, where He proclaims that He is the living bread that came down from heaven and emphasizes the importance of eating His flesh and drinking His blood to have eternal life.

Why were Jesus's listeners confused by His proclamation about the bread of life?

Jesus's listeners were confused because they could not understand how He could give them His flesh to eat. This idea seemed strange and incomprehensible to them.

How does the script explain the concept of 'eating Jesus's flesh and drinking His blood'?

The script explains that 'eating Jesus's flesh and drinking His blood' symbolizes a deep spiritual communion with Jesus, particularly through the Eucharist, where believers receive Jesus's body and blood in the form of bread and wine.

What is the significance of the 'wisdom' mentioned in the first reading from the Book of Proverbs?

The 'wisdom' in the Book of Proverbs is personified and portrayed as preparing a banquet. Wisdom invites people to forsake foolishness and to eat and drink from her table, which symbolizes gaining understanding and living a life aligned with God's will.

How does St. Paul relate to the theme of wisdom in his letter to the Ephesians?

St. Paul urges the Ephesians to live wisely, not foolishly, by understanding the will of the Lord. He advises them to avoid debauchery, be filled with the Spirit, and to communicate with one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

What is the connection between the wisdom from the Book of Proverbs and the Holy Spirit mentioned by St. Paul?

Both wisdom from the Book of Proverbs and the Holy Spirit mentioned by St. Paul guide believers to discern and follow God's will. Wisdom offers spiritual nourishment that leads to a deeper understanding of God, while the Holy Spirit provides the strength to live in accordance with this wisdom.

Why does the script emphasize 'forsaking foolishness'?

The script emphasizes 'forsaking foolishness' to encourage believers to seek true wisdom, which is understanding and following God's will, rather than pursuing false teachings or desires that lead away from spiritual growth and salvation.

What does the script say about the relationship between Jesus's incarnation and the concept of the bread of life?

The script highlights that Jesus's incarnation—God becoming flesh—is central to understanding the bread of life. Jesus offers His flesh as a gift from God for the salvation of humanity, and believers are called to accept this gift by partaking in the Eucharist.

How does the script address the doubts of Jesus's listeners regarding His teachings?

The script acknowledges that Jesus's teachings sounded foolish to His listeners because they were not yet able to see the spiritual significance behind His words. Jesus's discourse on the bread of life challenged their understanding and required a leap of faith to comprehend its deeper meaning.

What role do the elderly play in the church, according to the script?

According to the script, the elderly have a special role in the church as transmitters of faith, intercessors, and spiritual guides. They are called to pray, intercede, and remain spiritually active, continuing to contribute to the church community despite their age.