Tag: Melchizedek

Corpus Christi Sunday, 29 May: Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110:1-4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 9:11-17 ~ one body

Corpus Christi Sunday

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Since the beginning of time, God has always nourished his people. Today we remember God’s kindness in giving us the Body and Blood of Christ as our spiritual food.

Opening Prayer:

You have blessed all generations, O God most high, in Jesus, our compassionate Savior, for through him you invite us to your kingdom, welcome us to your table, and provide us with nourishment in abundance. Teach us to imitate your unfailing kindness and to build up Christ’s body, the Church, by generously handing on to others the gifts we have received from your bounty. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“In Christ, There Is No East Or West” – St Stephen (BBC)


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A Reading from the Old Testament: Genesis 14:18-20 (NLT)
[Melchizedek the priest praises the creator and blesses Abraham using bread and wine.]

Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God
Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God

And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing:

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.”

Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 110:1-4 (NLT)

A psalm of David.

The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”

The Lord will extend your powerful kingdom from Jerusalem; you will rule over your enemies.

When you go to war, your people will serve you willingly. You are arrayed in holy garments, and your strength will be renewed each day like the morning dew.

The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
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The Lord Said To My Lord (Psalm 110) – “Psalom”, St. Petersburg, Russia


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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NLT)
[Paul tells the story of what happened at the Last Supper.]

this is my body

For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 9:11-17 (NLT)
[Luke’s version of the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand, where twelve baskets of food were left over from the meal of five loaves and two fish.]

[Jesus] welcomed the crowds and taught them about the Kingdom of God, and he healed those who were sick.

Late in the afternoon the twelve disciples came to him and said, “Send the crowds away to the nearby villages and farms, so they can find food and lodging for the night. There is nothing to eat here in this remote place.”

But Jesus said, “You feed them.”

“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” For there were about 5,000 men there.

Jesus replied, “Tell them to sit down in groups of about fifty each.” So the people all sat down. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers!
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Hymn: “Table of Grace” – Phillips, Craig & Dean


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Intercessory Prayer:

Great and powerful God: help us in our time of need.

+ That all those who celebrate the Eucharist may be nourished in faith and practice by the real presence of Christ…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all those who are called to minister the Eucharist may show reverence for Christ and kindness to his people…. Lord, hear us.
+ That Christians all over the world may share willingly with those who are physically and spiritually hungry…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all those who provide food and drink for us may be blessed for their good work…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all those who are sick and sorrowful may experience God’s healing presence and power…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all those who have died in Christ and eaten the Bread of Life may receive a place at the eternal banquet…. Lord, hear us.

Great and powerful God, you care for your people with loving kindness, hear our prayers offered in faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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We are one body – WYD 1993 song

We are one body, one body in Christ; and we do not stand alone. We are one body, one body in Christ; and he came that we might have life.

I am the Way, the Truth, the Life, I am the Final Sacrifice, I am the Way, the Truth, the Life; he who believes in me will have eternal life. I am the Way, the Truth, the Life, I am the Final Sacrifice, I am the Way, the Truth, the Life; he who believes in me will have eternal life.

At the name of Jesus ev’ry knee shall bend; Jesus is the Lord and he will come again. At the name of Jesus ev’ry knee shall bend; Jesus is the Lord and he will come again. When you eat my body and you drink my blood, I will live in you and you will live in my love. When you eat my body and you drink my blood, I will live in you and you will live in my love.

On the rock of Peter, see my Church I build. Come receive my spirit, with my gifts be filled. For you are my body, you’re my hands and feet. Speak my word of life to ev’ryone you meet. I am the Way, the Truth, the Life, I am the Final Sacrifice, I am the Way, the Truth, the Life; he who believes in me will have eternal life.

Benediction:

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. – Ephesians 4:3-6 (NLT)

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: 21 Jan – Heb 7:1-3, 15-17; Mk 3:1-6 ~ Jesus, our priest forever

Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentences:

God does not see as man sees; man looks at appearances but the Lord looks at the heart.

Almighty, ever-living God, You choose what is weak in the world to shame what is strong. Grant that we, in our weakness, may be steadfast in faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

A Reading from Letters: Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17 (NLT)

melchizadeck

This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice,” and king of Salem means “king of peace.” There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors — no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.
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This change has been made very clear since a different priest, who is like Melchizedek, has appeared. Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
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Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23)
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 3:1-6 (NLT)

Christ healing the man with a withered hand Byzantine mosaic (ca. 1180) in the Cathedral of Monreale, Italy
Christ healing the man with a withered hand
Byzantine mosaic (ca. 1180) in the Cathedral of Monreale, Italy

Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.

He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.
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Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing:

May the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: 19 Jan – Heb 5:1-10; Mk 2:18-22 ~ Jesus Christ, High Priest forever

Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentences:

Come, O Creator Spirit, come, and make within our hearts Your home; to us Thy grace eternal give, who of Your breathing move and live.

A Reading from Letters: Hebrews 5:1-10 (NLT)

Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins. And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses. That is why he must offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as theirs.

Christ the High Priest, Bodruzal, district Svidnik, from the wooden Church of St. Nicholas, 1650-60
Christ the High Priest, Bodruzal, district Svidnik, Slovakia, from the wooden Church of St. Nicholas, 1650-60

And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was. That is why Christ did not honor himself by assuming he could become High Priest. No, he was chosen by God, who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.” And in another passage God said to him, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
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The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 2:18-22 (NLT)

Once when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t your disciples fast like John’s disciples and the Pharisees do?”

new wineskin

Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can’t fast while the groom is with them. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

“Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before.

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.”
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Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing:

May the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen