The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate our experience with the relationship of piety and anger in our lives.
The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews presents the Priestly Order of Melchizedek as a type of Christ.
* [7:1–3] Recalling the meeting between Melchizedek and Abraham described in Gn 14:17–20, the author enhances the significance of this priest by providing the popular etymological meaning of his name and that of the city over which he ruled (Heb 7:2). Since Genesis gives no information on the parentage or the death of Melchizedek, he is seen here as a type of Christ, representing a priesthood that is unique and eternal (Heb 7:3).
* [7:15–19] Jesus does not exercise a priesthood through family lineage but through his immortal existence (15–16), fulfilling Ps 110:4 (Heb 7:17; cf. Heb 7:3). Thus he abolishes forever both the levitical priesthood and the law it serves, because neither could effectively sanctify people (Heb 7:18) by leading them into direct communication with God (Heb 7:19). (Hebrews, CHAPTER 7, n.d.)
Psalm 110 is assurance of victory for God’s Priest-King.
* [Psalm 110] A royal Psalm in which a court singer recites three oracles in which God assures the king that his enemies are conquered (Ps 110:1–2), makes the king “son” in traditional adoption language (Ps 110:3), gives priestly status to the king and promises to be with him in future military ventures (Ps 110:4–7).
* [110:1] The LORD says to my lord: a polite form of address of an inferior to a superior, cf. 1 Sm 25:25; 2 Sm 1:10. The court singer refers to the king. Jesus in the synoptic gospels (Mt 22:41–46 and parallels) takes the psalmist to be David and hence “my lord” refers to the messiah, who must be someone greater than David. Your footstool: in ancient times victorious kings put their feet on the prostrate bodies of their enemies.
* [110:4] Melchizedek: Melchizedek was the ancient king of Salem (Jerusalem) who blessed Abraham (Gn 14:18–20); like other kings of the time he performed priestly functions. Heb 7 sees in Melchizedek a type of Christ. (Psalms, PSALM 110, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus heals the man with a withered hand.
* [3:1–5] Here Jesus is again depicted in conflict with his adversaries over the question of sabbath-day observance. His opponents were already ill disposed toward him because they regarded Jesus as a violator of the sabbath. Jesus’ question Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil? places the matter in the broader theological context outside the casuistry of the scribes. The answer is obvious. Jesus heals the man with the withered hand in the sight of all and reduces his opponents to silence; cf. Jn 5:17–18.
* [3:6] In reporting the plot of the Pharisees and Herodians to put Jesus to death after this series of conflicts in Galilee, Mark uses a pattern that recurs in his account of later controversies in Jerusalem (Mk 11:17–18; 12:13–17). The help of the Herodians, supporters of Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, is needed to take action against Jesus. Both series of conflicts point to their gravity and to the impending passion of Jesus. (Mark, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)
Larry Hopp comments that Jesus raised our understanding of heavenly power to another level. This story is so much more than a withered hand, changing a life forever through miraculous healing. Jesus was able to see into the hearts of the Pharisees, to understand how they had missed the most important part of love. Jesus used this miracle to accomplish so much more than blessing one man and his family. Isn’t that the lesson we find repeated throughout the Bible? God is reaching out to each of us on so many levels with every story throughout both the Old & New Testaments.
Dear Heavenly Father, your Word is so amazing, so powerful. It contains the shocking wisdom that I so desperately need. Thank you for your patience as well as the time you give us to spend with you each day, listening to you and studying. Help me to become the man that you created me to be. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen (Hopp, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The tender compassion of the Lord,” by John Chrysostom, 547-407 A.D.
"Jesus said to the man with the withered hand, 'Come here.' Then he challenged the Pharisees as to whether it would be lawful to do good on the sabbath. Note the tender compassion of the Lord when he deliberately brought the man with the withered hand right into their presence (Luke 6:8). He hoped that the mere sight of the misfortune might soften them, that they might become a little less spiteful by seeing the affliction, and perhaps out of sorrow mend their own ways. But they remained callous and unfeeling. They preferred to do harm to the name of Christ than to see this poor man made whole. They betrayed their wickedness not only by their hostility to Christ, but also by their doing so with such contentiousness that they treated with disdain his mercies to others." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 40.1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17 notes that today begins the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. How can we cooperate with the God of peace in the great work of Christian unity? We can begin by taking on God’s heart and praying for unity among believers, especially during this week. These prayers can transform our own hearts as we come to see just how much we hold in common with our separated brothers and sisters. And even if we never live to see all Christians visibly united in one Church, we can still be united with each other in our love for Christ. That spirit of unity can even carry over to help us bring peace wherever we encounter division.
Jesus wants us to work with him in bringing together his beloved people. May our prayers and actions give witness to the love God has for all those who believe in him.
“Father, help me to be a part of the work for peace among my brothers and sisters in Christ.” (Meditation on Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler explains the connection in Hebrews between Melchizedek and Jesus as the New King of Righteousness. Jesus is set up for a trap between ignoring suffering and healing on the Sabbath in the incident in Mark’s Gospel. Friar Jude notes that the case for killing Jesus is based on His action to bring full life.
Brian McLaren notes that prophets are often known for their anger against injustice. Brian McLaren makes a connection between anger and love. He shares scriptural passages that urge us not to react in anger, and describes how contemplative practice can direct our anger into loving action.
Anger does its work. It prompts us to action, for better or worse. With time and practice, we can let the reflexive reactions of fight/flight/freeze, mirroring, and judging pass by like unwanted items on a conveyor belt. Also, with practice, we can make space for creative actions to be prompted by our anger … actions that are in tune with the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (see Galatians 5:22) … actions that overcome evil with good and bring healing instead of hate.
So, yes, you bet I’m angry. It’s a source of my creativity. It’s a vaccination against apathy and complacency. It’s a gift that can be abused—or wisely used. Yes, it’s a temptation, but it’s also a resource and an opportunity, as unavoidable and necessary as pain. It’s part of the gift of being human and being alive. (McLaren, 2023)
Our Baptism anoints us as priest, prophet, and leader and connects us to the Spirit to guide our expression of these gifts for the common good.
References
Hebrews, CHAPTER 7. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/7?1
Hopp, L. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/011823.html
Mark, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/3?1
McLaren, B. (2023, January 6). Anger Does Its Work. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/anger-does-its-work-2023-01-18/
Meditation on Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/01/18/586896/
Psalms, PSALM 110. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/110?1
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Is It Lawful... to Save Life or to Kill? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=jan18
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