Daily Readings - Wed Jan 22 2025
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
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.