Obedience matters

The idea of obedience is very important in the passage from the letter to the Hebrews from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today. The author presents the tradition of the priest as one who offers sacrifice to God for his own and the sins of the people. The Incarnation brings a priest to humanity Who is obedient to the call of the Father to experience humanity in all aspects including suffering and death except in sin. This Lamb of God becomes the perfect sacrifice for sin. The author places Jesus in the ancient priestly order from the Book of Genesis, the order of Melchizedek. The praise of the psalmist today declares the link between the King of Israel and the blessing of God through the priesthood of Melchizedek. Commentators suggest that the sacrifice of Melchizedek was in celebration for the success of the rescue by the forces of Abram of his nephew, Lot, who had been captured by the Mesopotamian of King Chedorlaomer. (Genesis 14). The celebration of the communion of God and people is presented by Jesus as a marriage relationship in the text from the Gospel of Mark. The role of fasting in spiritual life is noted by Friar Jude Winkler as particularly appropriate during grieving for the loss of loved ones. Jesus confronts the Pharisees with the new image of God with us which calls for wedding like celebration. He indicates that fasting will be the obedient response of His disciples when they deal with His death. The change which we are invited to live as intimate spouse of the Bridegroom does not fit with ideas of separation from God and the inevitable sinfulness of our state. Jesus statement about old cloth and old wine from the Gospel may be inserted here, according to Friar Jude, because if the tie to wedding preparation and celebration. The difficulty of fitting the new into our old paradigms often presents the opportunity for us to fast from our plan and attempt obedience to the plan of His New Life.