Daily Catholic Reflection: January 20, 2021, Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Hebrews 7: 1-3, 15-17;

Psalm 110: 1-4;

Mark 3: 1-6 Full Readings

Saint Sebastian

Sabbath is Made for Man

Brethren, from the first reading, we see that Jesus Christ is the eternal and only priest who is the mediator between God and human beings. The First reading compares Christ and Melchizedek. Melchizedek was both king and priest, which is unique according to the Old Testament traditions. Melchizedek means “king of righteousness” in the Hebrew language. The word Salem means “peace” (the Hebrew word shalom), so that Melchizedek is “king of peace” as well as “king of righteousness.” “Righteousness” and “peace” are often found together in Scripture (Is 32:17; Ps 85:10; Ps 72:7; Jas 3:17–18; Heb 12:10–11).

There is no record of the genealogy of Melchizedek, which is significant because most great persons in the Old Testament have their ancestry identified. It was especially important that the priests be able to prove their ancestry (cf Ezra 2:61– 63; Neh 7:63–65). Melchizedek was not an angel or some superhuman creature. He was a real man, a real king, and a real priest in a real city. But as far as the record is concerned, he was not born, nor did he die. In this way, he is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God. Though Jesus Christ did die, Calvary was not the end; for he rose from the dead and today lives in “the power of an endless life.” Jesus has the priesthood not like that Aaron, but a high priesthood, divinely instituted by God, and it's our pride that we share in his priesthood.

In the Gospel, today, we see growing violence and hatred towards Jesus in his ministry especially from Pharisees and Scribes who considered themselves teachers of law and even would take precedence of law to human life. This is why we see them bitter to Jesus today, even planning how to destroy him after healing the man with a withered hand on Sabbath. Jesus really teaches us the real meaning of Sabbath and the law in general; human dignity and life must be preserved above every law. So it is right and just to save human life even on Sabbath. The Pharisees and Scribes would not take these new teachings and we see them plotting to destroy him and this hatred will grow until his crucifixion.

 Since the time of the first Apostles, Christians have traditionally celebrated Sunday as the Lord's Day (Revelation 1:10; Acts 20:7; Luke 24:30; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2) to worship together around the table of the Lord (the Eucharist or Lord's Supper) and to commemorate God's work of redemption in Jesus Christ and the new work of creation accomplished through Christ's death and resurrection.

Taking "our sabbath rest" is a way of expressing honor to God for all that he has done for us in and through Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer. Such "rest" however does not exempt us from our love for our neighbor. If we truly love the Lord above all else, then the love of God will overflow to love of neighbor as well.

Brethren, do you honor the Lord in the way you celebrate Sunday, the Lord's Day and in the way you treat your neighbor? Let us put charity and mercy above every law.

Let us Pray

Lord Jesus, in your victory over sin and death on the cross and in your resurrection you give us the assurance of sharing in the eternal rest of heaven. Transform my heart with your love that I may freely serve my neighbor for his good and find joy and refreshment in the celebration of Sunday as the Lord's Day. Amen 

Be blessed