Readings: Hebrews 7:1-3,15-17, Ps. 110:1-4, Mark 3:1-6
“King Melchizedek of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he returned from defeating the kings and blessed him; and to him, Abraham apportioned "one-tenth of everything.” (Hebrews 7:1-2)*_
One of the essential duties of a priest is to bless the people of God. When Melchizedek met Abraham, he blessed him, and Abraham's blessings have been unequalled throughout history. Melchizedek symbolises the ideal priest, who has no father or mother, without beginning or end, while Jesus Christ perfectly realises everything that Melchizedek represents.
- As Melchizedek blessed Abraham, Jesus Christ blessed many (including those He met on Sabbath days). The Pharisees were in charge of blessing the people, but they could not help the man with a withered hand. They forgot their first duty was to bless (to lift the people up). They became too concerned about obeying rules.
- In the Church today, there are many rules: rules about who receives Holy Communion, rules about marriage within or outside the church, rules about the sacraments, and so on. As beautiful as these rules may be, the priest never takes the position of the Pharisees. Rather, like Jesus Christ, he always puts life before any ecclesiastical rule. Jesus knew the Sabbath rule was not above the ultimate rule: to love our neighbours as we love ourselves (or to do good).
There is a point at which following the rules becomes wickedness. For example, the Pharisees questioned Jesus and his disciples for eating grains while walking through the grainfield on a Sabbath day. They were more concerned about following the law than solving Jesus's and his disciples’ hunger. Unfortunately, this pattern of wickedness continues today among many priests and other Christian leaders.
- Meanwhile, in today’s Gospel passage, we find the height of this wickedness when the Pharisees watched Jesus to see whether or not He would heal a man with a withered hand on a Sabbath day. Jesus asked them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or harm, to save life or kill?” But they were silent. They knew healing this man was not against the Sabbath Law but were too ashamed to admit the truth. Like these Pharisees, we could become blinded by hatred for certain persons and no longer understand the reasons for God’s laws.
- When the Pharisees did not answer Jesus, Mark tells us that Jesus “looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart.” God is angry when we become cold to our fellow human beings. A heart that cannot feel pity for another human being in distress is a Godless heart. As John the Evangelist would say: “Anyone who says ‘I love God’ but hates his brother is a liar.” (1 John 4:20). Be careful not to develop a hardened heart in the name of worshipping God.
- Jesus said to the man with a withered hand, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. As Jesus healed this man, we pray He may bring healing and restore us to wholeness. Amen. I can only imagine this man's joy when he could use his hand again. In any capacity we find ourselves (as priests or professionals in various fields), we are called to bless others and restore their joy. This is why Jesus said we are the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)
- Instead of sharing in the joy of the man who had just received healing, Jesus’ critics went out of the temple to hold a meeting with the Herodians. Jesus had barely begun his public ministry, but He already had enough enemies holding meetings to destroy Him. While we are committed to blessing others, we should not assume everyone will love and appreciate us. Nevertheless, do not be discouraged by those who seek to bring you down.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, use us to bless those we meet today and always. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Wednesday of week 2 in Ordinary Time, Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Hebrews 7:1-3,15-17, Ps. 110:1-4, Mark 3:1-6).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu