Daily Readings - Wed Jan 20 2021
Hebrews
1For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;2To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;3Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,16Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.17For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Mark
1And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.2And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.3And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.4And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.5And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.6And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound reflections on priesthood and service. The first reading from Hebrews introduces us to Melchizedek, a mysterious figure who is both king and priest, without genealogy or end. This enigmatic character is likened to the Son of God, emphasizing Jesus' eternal priesthood. The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus challenging the Pharisees' strict observance of the Sabbath by healing a man with a withered hand, highlighting the importance of compassion over legalism.
The context of Hebrews is a theological explanation of Jesus' priesthood, superior to the Levitical order, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging role. In Mark, the scene is set in the early ministry of Jesus, where His actions spark conflict with religious authorities, illustrating the tension between tradition and the living Word of God. Both readings converge on the theme of priesthood as a call to serve and bless, rather than to constrain or control.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we serve others. Like Melchizedek, we are called to be instruments of blessing, and like Jesus, to prioritize compassion over rigid rules. The moral lesson is clear: true service involves challenging injustices and bringing healing, embodying the eternal priesthood of Christ through selfless love and action. Let us embrace this call to serve with hearts full of compassion and courage.