Daily Readings - Wed Jan 23 2019
Hebrews
1This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,2and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace."3Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever.15And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,16one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.17For it is declared: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
Mark
1Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there.2Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.3Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone."4Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent.5He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.6Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on priesthood and service. The first reading from Hebrews introduces us to Melchizedek, a mysterious figure who appears in the Old Testament as both a king and a priest. His priesthood is unique because it is not tied to lineage or ritual but is eternal, resembling the priesthood of Jesus Christ. This passage highlights the idea that true priesthood is not about rules or traditions but about bringing life and blessings to others. In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus as the ultimate priest who defies legalistic interpretations of the Sabbath to heal a man with a withered hand. Jesus’ actions challenge the Pharisees’ narrow understanding of God’s law, showing that true priesthood is about compassion, restoration, and serving others.
The context of these readings is crucial. Hebrews is part of a larger argument about the superiority of Christ’s priesthood over the Levitical priesthood of the Old Testament. By comparing Jesus to Melchizedek, the author emphasizes that Christ’s priesthood is eternal and universal, transcending human limitations. In Mark’s Gospel, the healing on the Sabbath is a pivotal moment that reveals the growing tension between Jesus and the religious leaders. While they focus on rules, Jesus focuses on people, demonstrating that God’s law is meant to bring life, not restrict it.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our own calling as disciples of Christ. Like Melchizedek and Jesus, we are called to be priests in our own way—serving others, bringing healing, and challenging systems that prioritize rules over people. In our daily lives, we can ask ourselves: Am I using my time and talents to restore and uplift others? Am I willing to challenge structures that hinder compassion and justice? Let us follow Jesus’ example, choosing to act with love and mercy, even when it means going against the status quo. True priesthood, as these readings show, is not about power or prestige but about selfless service and bringing God’s life to the world.