The 18th of January, 2023 is Wednesday in the Second Week of Ordinary Time. The Holy Bible verses for the mass readings for this day came from the Liturgical Calendar of the Year 2023.
Reading 1: HEB 7:1-3, 15-17
The first reading from The Letter to the Hebrews.
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, “king of righteousness”, and then also “king of Salem”, which means “king of peace”, without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually.
This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest, who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life; for it is testified, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
Responsorial Psalm: PS 110:1, 2, 3, 4
Response: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
Yahweh says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.”
R: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
Yahweh will send out the rod of your strength out of Zion. Rule among your enemies.
R: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your youth.
R: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
Yahweh has sworn, and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
R: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
Gospel of the Day: MK 3:1-6
From the gospel scripture according to Mark.
He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there whose hand was withered.
They watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse him.
He said to the man whose hand was withered, “Stand up.”
He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good or to do harm? To save a life or to kill?” But they were silent.
When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.
The Pharisees went out, and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
