First Reading

Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17

1For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham, as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him. 2And Abraham divided to him a tenth part of everything. And in translation his name is first, indeed, king of justice, and next also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, he is thereby likened to the Son of God, who remains a priest continuously. 4Next, consider how great this man is, since the Patriarch Abraham even gave tithes to him from the principal things. 5And indeed, those who are from the sons of Levi, having received the priesthood, hold a commandment to take tithes from the people in accord with the law, that is, from their brothers, even though they also went forth from the loins of Abraham. 6But this man, whose lineage is not enumerated with them, received tithes from Abraham, and he blessed even the one who held the promises. 7Yet this is without any contradiction, for what is less should be blessed by what is better. 8And certainly, here, men who receive tithes still die; but there, he bears witness that he lives. 9And so it may be said that even Levi, who received tithes, was himself a tithe through Abraham. 10For he was still in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him. 11Therefore, if consummation had occurred through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), then what further need would there be for another Priest to rise up according to the order of Melchizedek, one who was not called according to the order of Aaron? 12For since the priesthood has been transferred, it is necessary that the law also be transferred. 13For he about whom these things have been spoken is from another tribe, in which no one attends before the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord arose out of Judah, a tribe about which Moses said nothing concerning priests. 15And yet it is far more evident that, according to the likeness of Melchizedek, there rises up another priest, 16who was made, not according to the law of a carnal commandment, but according to the virtue of an indissoluble life. 17For he testifies: “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 109

1A Psalm of David. The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” 2The Lord will send forth the scepter of your virtue from Zion. Rule in the midst of your enemies. 3It is with you from the beginning, in the day of your virtue, in the splendor of the saints. From conception, before the light-bearer, I begot you. 4The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent: “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Gospel

Mark 3:1-6

1And again, he entered into the synagogue. And there was a man there who had a withered hand. 2And they observed him, to see if he would cure on the Sabbaths, so that they might accuse him. 3And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Stand up in the middle.” 4And he said to them: “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbaths, or to do evil, to give health to a life, or to destroy?” But they remained silent. 5And looking around at them with anger, being very saddened over the blindness of their hearts, he said to the man, “Extend your hand.” And he extended it, and his hand was restored to him. 6Then the Pharisees, going out, immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him, as to how they might destroy him.