(Audio)
Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand."
He stretched it out and his hand was restored.
Jesus invites us to take the parts of ourselves that are withered and in need of healing and to stretch them out to him. Even though there might be Pharisees watching waiting to judge we don't need to hesitate. It is good that we desire and therefore it is lawful. We fear the risk of being exposed, being seen imperfect, in need of healing. We fear condemnation if the mode or circumstances aren't perfectly aligned with societal norms. But Jesus speaks, "Stretch out your hand", and the opportunity is given.
His name first means righteous king,
and he was also "king of Salem," that is, king of peace.
Without father, mother, or ancestry,
without beginning of days or end of life,
thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
Jesus is the priest in the order of Melchizedek. But what does that mean?
His name first means righteous king,
and he was also "king of Salem," that is, king of peace.
Without father, mother, or ancestry,
without beginning of days or end of life,
thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
Jesus is in truth that at which Melchizedek was mere foreshadowing. He has no beginning of days or end of life. He is the king of peace who not only has a life that cannot be destroyed but can share that power with whosoever he chooses. Melchizedek offers bread and wine, whereas Jesus conveys the power of his indestructible life to us through his own body and blood.
It is to the feast of the Eucharist that we are called to stretch out our hand for healing. Perhaps we first reach to reconciliation if needed. But the goal Jesus has for us is that we receive the fullness of divine life. He wants to make us partakers in the divine nature. Well, the Eucharist is Jesus who has the divine nature. We are free to partake if we simply stretch out our hands.
Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;
before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.
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