More on the mystery that is Melchizedek
Donald Hartley's recent article on Melchizedek was a real good appetizer for our upcoming Blog Talk Radio show on this mysterious figure. The relevant passages that the Catholic Defender will discuss are (from the Douai Rheems Bible):
Genesis 14:14-24
Psalm 110:4
Hebrews 5:6-10
Hebrews 6:20-7:17
I'm not going to go into a dissertation here about those mysterious texts, I'll leave that to Donald.
To me, what is equally perplexing are the things the Bible doesn't say about Melchizedek. Let's start with Matthew's gospel. Matthew was a tax collector and was know for keeping meticulous details and records. His Gospel starts with a detailed genealogy from Adam all the way to Jesus (42 Generations). Not a mention of Melchizedek. In the rest of his gospel, it is said that Matthew gives more than 200 Old Testament citations that correspond to New testament events. Again, not a word about Melchizedek.
This is particularly incredible in the case of Matthew 26:27-29
27 And taking the chalice, he gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this.
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins.
29 And I say to you, I will not drink from henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I shall drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.
According to Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, the Sacred Chalice raised by Our Lord (The Holy Grail) was the very same one used by Melchizedek and passed down as a treasured keepsake. It is astounding to me that this is not recorded in Matthew's Gospel, nor any of the other 3.
In fact, no Biblical book traces;
his genealogy.
the lineage of his Royalty.
the succession of his priesthood.
No evidence of him following the flesh line of Adam. No evidence he falls in the line of succession of the Davidic Kings. No evidence of his following the succession of the Levitical Priesthood.
Yet, He is called a Royal Priest and the King of Righteousness as well as being alluded as the King of Jerusalem!
The 4 Gospels are silent on him. So is the Book of Acts.
Guess what else? Deeper thinker theologian Paul mentions not a word in any of his 13 epistles.
Then we encounter the Epistle to the Hebrews. As if the mystery were not already deep enough, we do not even know who wrote this Epistle. Yet, the church declared it canonized Scripture even though it declares- in chapters 5,6 and 7- what no other New Testament Book even mentions. This radical teaching is that the Priesthood of the Jews is not merely null and void but has actually been replaced by a Priesthood in the Order of Melchizedek with Jesus Christ as that very High Priest!
The problem is.... WHAT IS the Order of Melchizedek? Where is it!? We see Melchizedek the person but with no mother, father or genealogy, how can we find an order?
So we focus on what is different.
What is different in the Priesthood of Melchizedek and the Priesthood of Aaron?
There are two things:
The line of the succession of Aaron's Priesthood had a definite start (in Exodus) and a definite end (70 AD). The Priesthood of Melchizedek (as has been stated multiple times) is forever.
The offering of Aaron was bulls, goats, doves, lambs.... The offering of Melchizedek is bread and wine.
I'm not sure how A forever sacrifice of Bread and Wine could possibly be understood outside the doctrine of the Catholic Eucharist. In the show (I hope you will listen), we will read a lot of Scripture, listen to the words of Saint Emmerich and discuss exactly who Melchizedek is. There are several plausible theories.
At a minimum, any reasonable person must concede- at a minimum that he is a forceful typology of Jesus Christ and that his order is the order of the Eucharist offered forever.
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