Daily Readings - Wed Jan 18 2023
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of priesthood and authority, as well as the call to live out our faith in a way that prioritizes love and service over rigid legalism. In the first reading from Hebrews, we encounter Melchizedek, a mysterious figure who appears as both a king and a priest, without the usual trappings of lineage or earthly authority. This enigmatic character is presented as a prefiguration of Christ, the eternal high priest who transcends human limitations. The author of Hebrews emphasizes that Christ’s priesthood is not bound by the rules of the old covenant but is rooted in the power of an indestructible life, making his priesthood forever effective and universal.
In the Gospel, Mark presents a scene where Jesus confronts the Pharisees over their strict interpretation of the Sabbath. Jesus heals a man with a withered hand, challenging the Pharisees’ legalism and revealing their hardness of heart. This episode highlights Jesus’ authority to interpret God’s law in a way that prioritizes human well-being and compassion over rigid observance. The Pharisees’ reaction—plotting against Jesus—shows the resistance that often arises when the status quo is challenged.
These readings connect in their emphasis on the true nature of priesthood and authority. Melchizedek’s priesthood, like Christ’s, is not confined to earthly structures but is rooted in justice and peace. Similarly, Jesus’ actions in the Gospel demonstrate that true priesthood involves serving and healing, not merely adhering to rules. For us, this means living our faith in a way that reflects God’s love and mercy, even when it challenges the norms around us. Let us ask ourselves: Are we open to God’s transformative power in our lives? Do we prioritize love and service over rigid adherence to rules? May we, like Christ, be instruments of healing and justice in a world that often values the opposite.