A Priest Forever January 17

By Diane Bayne

Feast of St. Anthony, abbot

Reading

His name (Melchizedek) first means righteous King, and he was also “king of Salem,” that is, king of peace. Without father, mother, or ancestry, without beginning of days or end of life, thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. Hebrews 7: 1-3

Gospel

Then He said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death. Mark 3: 3-6

Today's readings give us a clear picture of what it is to be a true priest and a worthy intercessor between humankind and God. We are not given much information about what made Melchizedek such a man and a worthy forerunner of Christ. On the other hand, concerning Christ's behavior we are given story upon story and example upon example on what priesthood is all about.

In yesterday's Gospel the point is made that (“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” Mark 2: 28). Today's Gospel reading describes the Pharisees' stubborn adherence to the law even in those situations when such adherence goes against compassion and common sense. As Jesus enters the synagogue, the Pharisees “watched Jesus closely” to see if he would cure the man with a withered hand on the sabbath. They have no answer to his question: “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it.” So, “Looking around him with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart,” Jesus cures the man.

Piety

The Pharisees are alive and well today. They believe in the letter of the law and want everyone to believe as they do. To withstand their influence, you must decide if your piety is based on love of God or on love of the law. The two are not always the same.

After earnest prayer and research on moral issues, to what extent do you trust yourself to make serious moral decisions? Remember, Christ came to take away your sins, not your mind.

Study

Meditate on the action and interior dispositions of Christ as related in the Gospel account today. Note not only Jesus' action in curing the man, but his anger and grief over the Pharisees “hardness of heart.” His attitude and behavior is not governed by the fact they hold positions of authority in his church. He judges them by their behavior only. What implications are there for us + today?

Action

When faced with serious moral decisions, focus on the question “What would Jesus do?”

When faced with events in which the law is being used to hurt rather than help people, refuse to be silent. Follow Jesus' example and make your voice heard–even it if means that in so doing you alienate today's Pharisees.