Daily Mass Readings – Wednesday, 20 January 2027

1 For this Melchisedech was king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him:

2 To whom also Abraham divided the tithes of all: who first indeed by interpretation, is king of justice: and then also king of Salem, that is, king of peace:

3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but likened unto the Son of God, continueth a priest for ever.

15 And it is yet far more evident: if according to the similitude of Melchisedech there ariseth another priest,

16 Who is made not according to the law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an indissoluble life:

17 For he testifieth: Thou art a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech.

R. (4b) You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

1 The Lord said to my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand: Until I make thy enemies thy footstool.

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

2 The Lord will send forth the sceptre of thy power out of Sion: rule thou in the midst of thy enemies.

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

3 With thee is the principality in the day of thy strength: in the brightness of the saints: from the womb before the day star I begot thee.

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

4 The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.

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

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

1 And he entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who had a withered hand.

2 And they watched him whether he would heal on the sabbath days; that they might accuse him.

3 And he said to the man who had the withered hand: Stand up in the midst.

4 And he saith to them: Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy? But they held their peace.

5 And looking round about on them with anger, being grieved for the blindness of their hearts, he saith to the man: Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it forth: and his hand was restored unto him.

6 And the Pharisees going out, immediately made a consultation with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

The priesthood promised in the line of Melchizedek is marked by justice, peace, and permanence. It points toward Christ, whose priesthood rests on the power of an indissoluble life. The Gospel shows what this enduring priest does with that authority: he restores what has been withered and gives life where others see only a test or an accusation.

Jesus does not allow religious observance to become an excuse for withholding mercy. His question—whether it is lawful to do good or to destroy, to save life or to leave it wounded—uncovers the blindness of hearts that can protect rules while ignoring a person in need. The man’s restored hand becomes a quiet sign of the Kingdom Jesus proclaims and embodies. Christ reigns with a power that heals, even when doing good brings opposition.

His presence invites us to examine the ways we may become rigid, hesitant, or judgmental when love asks something of us. The priest forever still brings God’s justice and peace by restoring human dignity. Where we can do good, mercy should not be postponed.

Lord Jesus Christ, eternal Priest and King, your power brings healing and peace. Free me from the blindness that notices rules more quickly than suffering, and from the fear of doing what love requires. Give me a heart attentive to those whose lives have been wounded or diminished. Teach me to honor what is holy by choosing the good, protecting life, and restoring dignity. When I face resistance, keep me faithful to your merciful way. Stretch out your hand over all who need healing, and make my own hands ready to serve them. Amen.