Wednesday, January 18, 2023

 

Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

(Hebrews 7:1-3.15-17; Mark 3:1-6)

 In theocracies religious leaders not only influence people’s souls, they govern their workaday lives.  People today remember how the Ayatollah Khomeini came to rule Iran.  Sought out by the populace, he gained authority over the army when he returned from abroad.  More than anyone else, the Ayatollah is responsible for the resurgence of Islam in the last fifty years.  Today’s first reading describes the priest-king Melchizedek with a similarly supreme authority.

The author’s point is that Jesus is much like Melchizedek.  His divine origins were largely unknown until he rose from the dead.  Jesus also was a Messiah-king who brought peace of soul at least to those who accepted him as their ruler.  Finally, he too is owed a share of the people’s life, not just a tenth but one’s whole being.

We are reluctant to give Jesus everything.  Pope Francis says that there is a little bit of evil in every human.  It is true; we want to retain some of ourselves for selfish reasons.  Like the people the author of Hebrews was addressing, we grow weary of trusting in Jesus.  It is a temptation, however, that we must overcome.  Jesus, not worldly gratifications, is the key to a truly fulfilling life.

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