Divine Priest and Prophet

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, challenge us to be a blessing to the anawim as ministers of the Wisdom and Love of God.

Sign of Hope

The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans is a Greeting that is addressed to both Jews and Gentiles.

* [1:1–7] In Paul’s letters the greeting or praescriptio follows a standard form, though with variations. It is based upon the common Greco-Roman epistolary practice, but with the addition of Semitic and specifically Christian elements. The three basic components are: name of sender; name of addressee; greeting. In identifying himself, Paul often adds phrases to describe his apostolic mission; this element is more developed in Romans than in any other letter. Elsewhere he associates co-workers with himself in the greeting: Sosthenes (1 Corinthians), Timothy (2 Corinthians; Philippians; Philemon) Silvanus (1 Thessalonians—2 Thessalonians). The standard secular greeting was the infinitive chairein, “greetings.” Paul uses instead the similar-sounding charis, “grace,” together with the Semitic greeting šālôm (Greek eirēnē), “peace.” These gifts, foreshadowed in God’s dealings with Israel (see Nm 6:24–26), have been poured out abundantly in Christ, and Paul wishes them to his readers. In Romans the Pauline praescriptio is expanded and expressed in a formal tone; it emphasizes Paul’s office as apostle to the Gentiles. Rom 1:3–4 stress the gospel or kerygma, Rom 1:2 the fulfillment of God’s promise, and Rom 1:1, 5 Paul’s office. On his call, see Gal 1:15–16; 1 Cor 9:1; 15:8–10; Acts 9:1–22; 22:3–16; 26:4–18.

* [1:1] Slave of Christ Jesus: Paul applies the term slave to himself in order to express his undivided allegiance to the Lord of the church, the Master of all, including slaves and masters. “No one can serve (i.e., be a slave to) two masters,” said Jesus (Mt 6:24). It is this aspect of the slave-master relationship rather than its degrading implications that Paul emphasizes when he discusses Christian commitment.

* [1:3–4] Paul here cites an early confession that proclaims Jesus’ sonship as messianic descendant of David (cf. Mt 22:42; 2 Tm 2:8; Rev 22:16) and as Son of God by the resurrection. As “life-giving spirit” (1 Cor 15:45), Jesus Christ is able to communicate the Spirit to those who believe in him.

* [1:5] Paul recalls his apostolic office, implying that the Romans know something of his history. The obedience of faith: as Paul will show at length in chaps. 6–8 and 12–15, faith in God’s justifying action in Jesus Christ relates one to God’s gift of the new life that is made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the activity of the holy Spirit (see especially Rom 8:1–11).

* [1:7] Called to be holy: Paul often refers to Christians as “the holy ones” or “the saints.” The Israelite community was called a “holy assembly” because they had been separated for the worship and service of the Lord (see Lv 11:44; 23:1–44). The Christian community regarded its members as sanctified by baptism (Rom 6:22; 15:16; 1 Cor 6:11; Eph 5:26–27). Christians are called to holiness (1 Cor 1:2; 1 Thes 4:7), that is, they are called to make their lives conform to the gift they have already received. (Romans, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)

Psalm 98 is extolling God for Israel’s victory.

* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9). (Psalms, PSALM 98, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus addresses the Demand for a Sign.

* [11:29–32] The “sign of Jonah” in Luke is the preaching of the need for repentance by a prophet who comes from afar. Cf. Mt 12:38–42 (and see notes there) where the “sign of Jonah” is interpreted by Jesus as his death and resurrection. (Luke, CHAPTER 11, n.d.)

A Member of Creighton University Community invites us to reflect today on Who are we being called to love? What are we being called to “die to” today? What is in the way of us realizing that Jesus is the “something greater here”? Take notice.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Member of Creighton University Community, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes The sign of Jonah, by an anonymous early author from the Greek church.

"'What is the sign of Jonah? The stumbling block of the cross. So it is not the disputers of knowledge who will be saved but those who believe true teaching. For the cross of Christ is indeed a stumbling block to those who dispute knowledge but salvation to those who believe. Paul testifies to this: 'But we, for our part, preach the crucified Christ - to the Jews indeed a stumbling block and to the Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God' (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). Why do the Jews seek signs and the Greeks seek wisdom? God pointed to the sign of the stumbling block of the cross to both the Jews and the Greeks. Thus those who wish to find Christ not through faith but through wisdom will perish on the stumbling block of foolishness. Those who wish to know the Son of God not through faith but through a demonstration of signs will remain trapped in their disbelief, falling on the stumbling block of his death. It is no small wonder that the Jews, considering the death of Christ, thought he was merely a man, when even Christians - as they purport to be but really are not - because of his death are reluctant to declare the only begotten, the crucified, as incomparable majesty." (excerpt from INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 30, the Greek fathers). (Schwager, n.d.)

In the Word Among Us Meditation on Romans 1:1-7 we hear St. Paul reminding us of the Gospel proclamation, the incredible news about Jesus, who lived and died and rose only a short time ago. This Jesus was not just a good human or a gifted miracle worker; he was the Son of God. Paul knows this for a fact because he met the risen Lord, he was forgiven by him, and he has received the gift of eternal life through him.

Today, in the twenty-first century, this is your story as well. You are not just a random individual reading this passage. You, too, are beloved by God, called to Christ, and destined for holiness. It's just as true for you as it was for St. Paul!

Today in prayer, ask the Spirit to fill you with a new sense of joy over the fact that God has called you to himself. As you enter his presence, hear him say to you, “Come, give your heart to me so that I can give my heart to you.”

“Here I am, Father! Thank you for loving me and calling me by name!” (Meditation on Romans 1:1-7, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that the passage from Romans is the first part of the letter writing to a community Paul did not evangelize, and has never been there. The first missionaries were Jewish Christians ministering to people, mostly Gentile converts. In this passage the heresy of “adoptionism” of the Son of God by God as Jesus became the Son, in power at the resurrection is rejected. Paul is the “apostle” and he is a minister to the Gentiles. In the Gospel from Luke the sign of Jonah has two meanings, in the belly of the “whale” for three days and the second as preaching to the Ninevites as Jesus to the Gentiles. Friar Jude explains that the Jewish audience is “missing  the mark”. Jesus could exist in the idea of “Lady Wisdom” as He proclaimed “everything you said about Wisdom was about Me”.

Fr. Mike Schmitz walks us through the current battles of Judas Maccabeus and the Israelite people, emphasizing that while war is violent, freedom to belong to God and worship him is worth fighting for. He also discusses the importance of spending time with virtuous people to acquire their positive qualities and the need to seek good rather than evil to attain the riches of heaven. Today’s readings are from 1 Maccabees 5, Sirach 13-15, and Proverbs 22:13-16.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, describes the tension between priestly and prophetic tasks—both necessary for healthy religion.

If we have both, we have a certain kind of wholeness or integrity. If we just have priests, we keep repeating the party line and everything is about loyalty, conformity, and following the rules—and that looks like religion. But if we have the priest and the prophet, we have a system constantly refining itself and correcting itself from within. Those two strains very seldom come together. We see it in Moses, who both gathers Israel, and yet is the most critical of his own people. We see it again in Jesus, who loves his people and his Jewish religion, but is lethally critical of hypocrisy and illusion and deceit (see Matthew 23; Luke 11:37–12:3).

  

The only way evil can succeed is to disguise itself as good. And one of the best disguises for evil is religion. Someone can be racist, be against the poor, hate immigrants, and be totally concerned about making money and being a materialist but still go to church each Sunday and be “justified” in the eyes of religion.   

Those are the things that prophets point out, so prophets aren’t nearly as popular as priests. Priests keep repeating the party line, but prophets do both: they put together the best of the conservative with the best of the liberal, to use contemporary language. They honor the tradition, and they also say what’s phony about the tradition. That’s what fully spiritually mature people can do. (Rohr, n.d.)  

We seek consolation from the Spirit as we accept the tensions in our mission to piety as priest, to Wisdom as prophet, and to lead in charity and compassion for all.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 13, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11?29 

Meditation on Romans 1:1-7. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved October 13, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/10/12/1405661/ 

Member of Creighton University Community. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 13, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-14-2019 

Psalms, PSALM 98. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 13, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Jesus the Prophet. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 13, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/jesus-the-prophet/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 13, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/1?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). This Is an Evil Generation; It Seeks a Sign. Daily Scripture Net. Retrieved October 13, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Priestly Ministry

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to place healing and mercy in first place in our relationships with others in our environment.

Our Ministry for Life

The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews places Jesus in the Priestly Order of Melchizedek.

* [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 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 110 offers 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). (Psalms, PSALM 110 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus ministers to Crowds of People and 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 | USCCB, n.d.)

Cindy Costanzo comments that Jesus modeled love during his time on earth and taught us to love one another. He demonstrated his love for life as written in today’s reading. Boldly stepping forward within a situation and performing a miracle against the rules and laws of the time. Deliberately sending a message to the Pharisees that life matters and love for each other is most important. Cindy reflects on 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:8 The Gift of Love. 

Lord, grant us the ability to love and humbly stand before you to ask for your guidance in all our decisions, especially those concerning life. (Costanzo, 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 Mark 3:1-6 comments that by being quick to accuse, we can overlook God’s command to love. And every time we do that, we “destroy” that person a little more (Mark 3:4). That’s why Jesus told us not to call someone “fool” or to harbor anger against anyone (Matthew 5:22). We need to guard our hearts against these temptations lest we miss out on Jesus’ gifts of new life, healing, and salvation.

God doesn’t want any life destroyed. Instead, he wants everyone to receive gifts of life and salvation. And he invites us to join with him in this work through our prayers of intercession. Throughout the United States today, people are interceding for the protection of unborn children. They are praying that their laws would save and protect all human life, from conception to natural death. But no matter where you live, you can pray that every child, born and unborn, would be safe and loved, welcomed and protected. You can pray for all mothers and fathers. And you can pray that we would bring life and blessing to everyone we meet.

“Lord, fill our hearts with awe and wonder at your gift of life. Protect all children and lead them to you.” (Meditation on Mark 3:1-6, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler discusses the declaration of Jesus' priesthood being in the line of Melchizedek, who was not a Jew and who offered bread and wine and prayed to Canaanite gods. If Jesus waited “just one more day” to heal the withered hand He would be in harmony with the Pharisees' idea that healing on the Sabbath was only appropriate if one was at the point of death. Friar Jude reminds us that when we receive the Love of God in Sunday worship, we need to share it with others.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, explores our human and religious temptation to hide qualities we think of as negative or “less than” in order to make ourselves seem better than we are. 

In different ways, we humans falsely divide the world into the pure and impure, the totally good and the totally bad, the perfect and imperfect. It begins with dualistic thinking and then never manages to get beyond it. Such a total split or clean division is never true in actual experience. We all know that reality is a lot more mixed and “disordered” than that; so, in order to continue to see things in such a false and binary way, we really have to close down. That is the hallmark of immature religion. It demands denial, splitting, and mental pretense. It moves from the first false assumption of purity or perfection toward an entire ethical code, a priesthood of some sort, and various rituals and taboos that keep us on the side of the seeming pure, positive, or perfect—as if that were even possible.  

I mean this next point kindly: Organized religion is almost structurally certain to create hypocrites (the word literally means “actors”), those who try to appear to be pure and good, or at least better than others. Jesus uses the word at least ten times in Matthew’s Gospel alone! We are unconsciously trained to want to look good, to seek moral high ground, and to point out the “speck” in other people’s eyes while ignoring the “log” in our own (Matthew 7:3–5). None of us lives up to all our spoken ideals, but we have to pretend we do in order to feel good about ourselves and to get others of our chosen group to respect us. (Rohr, n.d.)

When we ponder how to exercise our Baptismal anointing as “priest” we consider how the example of Jesus giving up human life for us might apply to our ministry.

References

Costanzo, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved January 22, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/012225.html 

Hebrews, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/7?1 

Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/3?1=#49003001 

Meditation on Mark 3:1-6. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 22, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/01/22/1184895/ 

Psalms, PSALM 110 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/110?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Unworthiness Is the Ticket. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 22, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/unworthiness-is-the-ticket/ 

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 22, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jan22