Daily Retreat 01/21/09
2009 Jan 21 Wed: Agnes, v, mt M
Heb 7: 1-3. 15-17/ Ps 109(110): 1. 2. 3. 4/ Mk 3: 1-6
From today’s readings: “He remains a priest forever.... The LORD has sworn, and He will not repent.... Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath? ”
Melchizedek
In chapter 14, the book of Genesis introduces a most mysterious man, Melchizedek, whose name means “king of righteousness,” as the letter to the Hebrews explains. Not much more about him is mentioned, except that he blessed Abraham, and Abraham in turn tithed to him. Melchizedek is also mentioned in Psalm 109 (110):4 “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek,”a verse already quoted twice in Hebrews (5:6 and 6:20).
The epistle to the Hebrews argues that Jesus is the great high priest, and specifically, that His priesthood surpasses the priesthood of Aaron, that is, the Jewish priesthood of the Old Testament, which was a hereditary office, “expressed in a commandment concerning physical descent.” Elements of Melchizedek’s priesthood are thus presented as prototypical of Christ’s priesthood, although it’s important to note that even Melchizedek “was thus made to resemble the Son of God,” i.e., Christ as priest is not a reduction or imitation of Melchizedek as priest; instead, Christ’s priesthood is the example par excellence which was foreshadowed in Melchizedek’s priesthood.
The insight expressed in the letter to the Hebrews is that Melchizedek is more than a mysterious minor supporting figure whom Abraham happened to meet. Rather, the “king of righteousness” introduced in the book of Genesis was a precursor to help the chosen people grasp the transcendent and priestly nature of Jesus, the definitive “King of Righteousness.”
Heb 7: 1-3. 15-17/ Ps 109(110): 1. 2. 3. 4/ Mk 3: 1-6
From today’s readings: “He remains a priest forever.... The LORD has sworn, and He will not repent.... Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath? ”
Melchizedek
In chapter 14, the book of Genesis introduces a most mysterious man, Melchizedek, whose name means “king of righteousness,” as the letter to the Hebrews explains. Not much more about him is mentioned, except that he blessed Abraham, and Abraham in turn tithed to him. Melchizedek is also mentioned in Psalm 109 (110):4 “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek,”a verse already quoted twice in Hebrews (5:6 and 6:20).
The epistle to the Hebrews argues that Jesus is the great high priest, and specifically, that His priesthood surpasses the priesthood of Aaron, that is, the Jewish priesthood of the Old Testament, which was a hereditary office, “expressed in a commandment concerning physical descent.” Elements of Melchizedek’s priesthood are thus presented as prototypical of Christ’s priesthood, although it’s important to note that even Melchizedek “was thus made to resemble the Son of God,” i.e., Christ as priest is not a reduction or imitation of Melchizedek as priest; instead, Christ’s priesthood is the example par excellence which was foreshadowed in Melchizedek’s priesthood.
The insight expressed in the letter to the Hebrews is that Melchizedek is more than a mysterious minor supporting figure whom Abraham happened to meet. Rather, the “king of righteousness” introduced in the book of Genesis was a precursor to help the chosen people grasp the transcendent and priestly nature of Jesus, the definitive “King of Righteousness.”
posted by FrPitstick | 1/19/2009
<< Home