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| “Saint Agnes” by Andrea del Sarto, c. 1600 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Hebrews 5:1-10
Commentary on Heb 5:1-10
This is an important passage from the standpoint of understanding the call to ministry, especially the priesthood. It is frequently used at ordinations, and provides an understanding of what it means to be called to a vocation: “No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God.”
“Priests are mediators between man and God. As such they must be united with men and called by God. The priests of Israel, who traced their lineage to Aaron and his sons, were united with men in the weakness of human sin and were called by God to an earthly priesthood (Exodus 28:1-4; 40:12-15). Jesus, too, was united with men in his human nature (Hebrews 2:14); however, unlike the Aaronic priests, he was free from sin (Hebrews 4:15) and was called by God to a heavenly priesthood (v. 5-6; Hebrews 8:1-4). Priestly ministry is a vocation from God, not volunteer work that men can take upon themselves (CCC 1539, 1578).” [4]
The second part of the reading continues with Christ’s own call. The author captures Christ’s humanity in this description. The reference to the “order of Melchizedek,” the priest king, is first identified in Genesis 14:18 and again in Psalm 110:4. The image of Melchizedek is used to prefigure Christ, the Messiah who is Priest, Prophet, and King. This same indelible character is imposed upon those called to God’s service in the priesthood.
CCC: Heb 5:1 1539; Heb 5:3 1540; Heb 5:4 1578; Heb 5:6 1537; Heb 5:7-9 609, 2606; Heb 5:7-8 612, 1009; Heb 5:7 2741; Heb 5:8 2825; Heb 5:9 617; Heb 5:10 1544
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4
R. (4b) You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
Commentary on Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4
We are given the reference point used in Hebrews 5:1-10. The psalmist, David, reflects upon the call to service of the people. The final verse specifically mentions the High Priest Melchizedek. Melchizedek was the ancient king of Salem (Jerusalem) who blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:18-20). Like other kings of the time, he also performed priestly functions.
Psalm 110 thanks God for earthly authority, recognizing that it is only through the Lord's strength that authority is exercised. The psalmist uses Melchizedek as an arch-example. He was a secular king in the time of Abraham who ruled on the spiritual side as well. Though he was not of the Hebrew race, he was nonetheless chosen by God to be priest, not of the line of Aaron. Since the ancient text refers neither to his lineage nor his death, his office is seen as eternal, “You are a priest forever.”
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Gospel: Mark 2:18-22
Commentary on Mk 2:18-22
Jesus is confronted by “some of the people” about why his disciples do not fast as the disciples of St. John and the Pharisees do. Ritual fasting is done as a sign of mourning or repentance, which is why Jesus makes the remarks he does; the time for mourning had not yet come.
In response to the question by the Pharisees, Jesus uses an Old Testament metaphor in which God’s relation to his covenant people is a marriage (see Hosea 2:16-20, Isaiah 54:5-6, Jeremiah 2:2, Ezekiel 16:32 ff) “Can the wedding guests fast? The bridal metaphor expresses a new relationship of love between God and his people in the person and mission of Jesus to his disciples. It is the inauguration of the new and joyful messianic time of fulfillment and the passing of the old. Any attempt at assimilating the Pharisaic practice of fasting, or of extending the preparatory discipline of John's disciples beyond the arrival of the bridegroom, would be as futile as sewing a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak or pouring new wine into old wineskins with the resulting destruction of both cloth and wine (Mark 2:21-22). Fasting is rendered superfluous during the earthly ministry of Jesus; cf Mark 2:20.” [5]
CCC: Mk 2:19 796
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Reflection:
What immediately attracts our attention today is the first reading from Hebrews that speaks of the call to service. While Melchizedek is the archetype for the modern priest, his ancient role is instructive for us as well. It is recorded that Melchizedek was a secular king, and he deputized Abraham to perform priestly tasks for the people.
In that same sense, we are called to be a “priestly people,” ministering to one another. Just as the bridal metaphor, used again today, is a symbol of God’s love for his people, so we are called by Jesus’ example to demonstrate the same love to our brothers and sisters. As usual, this is the difficult part of our calling. But this is one we can put on someone else. If we ask ourselves why we are ignoring our baser impulses and sacrificing for the sake of others, we can say: “God made us do it.” Because, hopefully, it is for his greater glory that we do these things, and it is only with his help that we accomplish any good result.
Too often, however, we fall into the trap of our human desires. We seek our own comfort in the face of a need to help our friends and even family as they face difficult times. It is at these times when the bride becomes the harlot, seeking her own ends rather than the good of all desired by the Bridegroom. That image is used in many places in the Old Testament, when the “covenant people” ignore the will of God and seek their own ends. It is a challenge, not only of our spiritual leaders, but for ourselves to constantly check our motives and actions. Through prayer and meditation we continue to discern the way forward.
The Bridegroom is no longer with us in the flesh, and we miss him always. However, we have the Holy Spirit which he left for us as guide and sanctifier. The same spirit that creates the archetype of Melchizedek in our priests, who lead us spiritually, leads us individually as well. We pray today that we follow the Lord faithfully as a dutiful bride follows her loving groom.
Pax
[1] The picture today is “Saint Agnes” by Andrea del Sarto, c. 1600.
[4] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, © 2010, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. p. 421.
[5] See NAB footnote for MK 2:18-22.
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