By the Power of Life – Stretch out your hand

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Heb 7:1-3, 15-17; Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4; Mk 3:1-6
Notes: Melchizedek: King of Salem, king of peace, Son of God, High Priest, and Eternal.

• He greeted Abram.
• He brought bread and wine in victory.
• He blessed Abram.
• He blessed God Most High.

The letter to the Hebrews makes this observation regarding Jesus:

Another priest is raised up after the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become so, not by a law expressed in a commandment concerning physical descent but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed.

This Jesus of Galilee is of the Order of Melchizedek.

First reading
Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High.
[Jesus,] You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Responsorial Psalm
You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Alleluia Verse
Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.

Gospel Portion
“Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”

• By the Power of Life – Stretch out your hand.
• By the Power of Life – He stretched it out and his hand was restored.

Are you stuck in judgment and law?

• They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him.
• But they remained silent.
• Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart.
• [My translation] They went out and immediately took counsel with others against him to put him to death.

Do you have difficulty in ascribing good to good? Do you sometimes ascribe good to evil?

Call Evil Good and Good Evil?

Ah! Those who call evil good, and good evil, who change darkness to light, and light into darkness, who change bitter to sweet, and sweet into bitter! (ISA 5:20).

Crush the Bruised Person?

A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.” (Matt 12:20-21).

Misue of Good

Therefore, I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. (Matt 12:31).

Come to the Power of Life.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry