18 January 2023
Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
More reflection on the 1st reading. Briefly: Melchizedek is seen as a symbol of Christ because he was a priest. Unlike priests of the Old Testament, he was not appointed priest, but like Christ, he was born a priest. The priesthood was part of his nature. It came to him because of who he was, not because he was anointed after birth.
Here are more characteristics the author gives to Melchizedek: “king of justice”; “king of peace”. And, “like the Son of God, he remains priest forever”. So, he is the symbolic image of Christ. Because we, the baptized, the adopted children of the Father, partake in the divinity of Christ, we too belong to the order of Melchizedek.
Vatican II emphasized that the laity shares the priesthood of Christ, and it is at mass, where the consecrated priest changes the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, that they best exercise that vocation. This is one reason why it is so important these days to attend mass as regularly as possible.
Resolve: I shall try to be more attentive at mass and pray there that all the baptized realize the gift they have received and the calling that brings them closer to Christ and to all the members of his Body.