The 18th of August, 2024 is the Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time. The Holy Bible verses for the mass readings for this day came from the Liturgical Calendar Year 2024.
Reading 1: PRV 9:1-6
The first reading from the Proverbs.
Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city: “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him, “Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
Responsorial Psalm: PS 34:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Response: Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good.
I will bless Yahweh at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth.
My soul shall boast in Yahweh. The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
R: Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good.
Oh magnify Yahweh with me. Let’s exalt his name together.
I sought Yahweh, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
R: Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good.
They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame.
This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
R: Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good.
Yahweh’s angel encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
R: Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good.
Reading 2: EPH 5:15-20
The second reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Therefore, don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father.
Gospel of the Day: JN 6:51-58
From the gospel scripture according to John.
“I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
The Jews therefore contended with one another, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
Jesus therefore said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you don’t have life in yourselves.
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I in him.
As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on me will also live because of me.
This is the bread which came down out of heaven-not as our fathers ate the manna and died. He who eats this bread will live forever.”
