1ST READING
Melchizedek is a very mysterious character. He appears from
nowhere to Abraham, who offers him a tithe, and then he disappears just as
quickly. All we really know about him is that his name literally means “my king
is righteous.” The author of this letter seems to use him as an affirmation of
the enduring nature of the priesthood of Christ. The sacrifice Jesus made
on the cross will endure for all time, in the same way that the priesthood of
Melchizedek has become known to endure.
Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17
1 Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God
Most High, met Abraham as he returned from his defeat of the kings and blessed
him. 2 And Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of
everything. His name first means righteous king, and he was also “king of
Salem,” that is, king of peace. 3 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. 15 It is even more obvious if another priest is
raised up after the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become so, not
by a law expressed in a commandment concerning physical descent but by the
power of a life that cannot be destroyed. 17 For it is testified: You
are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
P S AL M
Psalm 110: 1, 2, 3, 4
R: You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.
1 The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand
till I make your enemies your footstool.” (R)
2 The scepter of your power the Lord will stretch
forth from Zion: “Rule in the midst of your enemies.” (R) 3 “Yours is princely power in the day of your
birth, in holy splendor; before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten
you.” (R) 4 The Lord has sworn, and
he will not repent: “You are a priest forever, according to the order of
Melchizedek.” (R)
GOSPEL
Jesus breaks the sabbath again, not to antagonize the people but
to reinforce what He is saying about the need to place love above everything
else. If we focus on laws as being our savior or that of our society, then
there will come a time when society will collapse under the weight of its
imposition. Only love, lived freely, can provide a viable alternative. This is
the challenge we face today with many people advocating change in laws
regarding sexual morality. Only true love can teach us what is right and wrong;
the law does not have the power to command us internally; only love does.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease
among the people.TODAY’S
Mark 3:1-6
1 Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man
there who had a withered hand. 2 They watched Jesus closely to see if he would
cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. 3 He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before
us.” 4 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. 5 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. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the
Herodians against him to put him to death.
think: Only true love can
teach us what is right and wrong.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING
LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
____________________________________
God’s special
verse/thought for me today_
_____________________________________
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