Daily Readings - Wed Jan 22 2025
Hebrews
1For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham, as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him2And Abraham divided to him a tenth part of everything. And in translation his name is first, indeed, king of justice, and next also king of Salem, that is, king of peace3Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, he is thereby likened to the Son of God, who remains a priest continuously15And yet it is far more evident that, according to the likeness of Melchizedek, there rises up another priest16who was made, not according to the law of a carnal commandment, but according to the virtue of an indissoluble life17For he testifies: "You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.
Mark
1And again, he entered into the synagogue. And there was a man there who had a withered hand2And they observed him, to see if he would cure on the Sabbaths, so that they might accuse him3And he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Stand up in the middle.4And he said to them: "Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbaths, or to do evil, to give health to a life, or to destroy?" But they remained silent5And looking around at them with anger, being very saddened over the blindness of their hearts, he said to the man, "Extend your hand." And he extended it, and his hand was restored to him6Then the Pharisees, going out, immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him, as to how they might destroy him
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of priesthood, compassion, and the tension between tradition and the call to do what is right. In the first reading from Hebrews, we encounter Melchizedek, a mysterious figure who appears in the Old Testament as both a king and a priest. The author of Hebrews highlights that Melchizedek’s priesthood is unique—it does not depend on lineage or earthly authority but is rooted in the power of an indestructible life. This sets the stage for understanding Jesus as the ultimate high priest, who offers a priesthood that transcends human limitations and lasts forever.
In the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus confronting the Pharisees over their strict interpretation of the Sabbath. When Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, he challenges the Pharisees’ legalistic understanding of what is permissible. Jesus’ question, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath, or to do evil, to save a life or to destroy it?” cuts to the heart of the matter. His actions reveal that true faith is not about rigid adherence to rules but about living with compassion and love. The Pharisees’ silence and subsequent plotting against Jesus show how resistance to God’s work can arise from a failure to see beyond human traditions.
These readings remind us that our faith must be lived out in action. Just as Melchizedek’s priesthood was marked by its enduring and transcendent nature, Jesus’ priesthood is characterized by his unwavering commitment to healing and restoration. In our daily lives, we are called to embody this same spirit. When faced with situations that seem bound by rigid rules or traditions, we should ask ourselves: Are we prioritizing compassion and the good of others, or are we allowing legalism to harden our hearts? Let us strive to be like Jesus, who saw the deeper truth of God’s love and acted with courage and mercy, even in the face of opposition.