Daily Readings - Wed Jan 22 2025
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, 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.