The TRIDUM and the Order of Melchizedek

Today marks the beginning of the three days commemoration of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. It will end with Easter Sunday, the day we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Not long ago,I was reading the sacred scriptures with some friends and we were studying Psalm 110. I came across this text:

“The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'” Psalm 110.4

The introduction of Melchizedek in this verse came out of nowhere. It seemed strange at first given that the last time Melchizedek is mentioned is in the book of Genesis. And David must have known that. Especially since in his time, the priesthood known and recognized in Israel as the divine institution, was the Priesthood of Aron, not the priesthood of Melchizedek. And yet, out of nowhere, David started talking of another priesthood as he informed his audience that God swore that the messiah will be from the order of Melchizedek priesthood.

Here is the other only mention we have of Melchizedek in Genesis:

“After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). Then MELCHIZEDEK king of Salem brought out BREAD and WINE. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.” - Genesis 14:17-19

Verse 18 of Genesis passage shows that Melchizedek brought “bread and wine”. And the author immediately points out just after mentioning 'bread and wine' that he was a priest. A priest is someone who perform religious sacrifices. The French version translate the word priest with ‘Sacrificateur’. Melchizedek sacrifices must therefore have been ‘Bread and Wine’. A shadow of things to come.

David in Psalm 110 tells us that the Messiah will be from the order of Melchizedek. This is confirmed in the book of Hebrews that identify the Lord Jesus Christ with Melchizedek:

“For it is declared: ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of MELCHIZEDEK.’ ... Others became priests without any oath, but he [Jesus] became a priest with an oath when God said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’" Because of this oath, JESUS has become the guarantor of a better covenant. Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because JESUS lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” - Hebrews 7:17-25

As this biblical text proves, the Messiah, Jesus, came in the order of Melchizedek priesthood. In the original Tridum, on Holy Thursday, Jesus who is priest in the order of Melchizedek also came with the sacrifice of ‘Bread and Wine’ just like Melchizedek did when he met Abram in Genesis 14. This sacrifice of 'Bread and Wine' is significant because the Gospel tells us that it is the Messiah Body and Blood offered during the first Tridum on Holy Thursday, 2000 years ago.

In the Gospel of Luke 22, the Lord Jesus said: 

18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine [i.e WINE] until the kingdom of God comes."
19 And he took BREAD", gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying,” This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

This is fascinating stuffs. I have written more about the Lamb Supper, its Jewish origin and its Messianic manifestation. You can access it in this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PivyoToIS8YQCTC80a61CJn4kyX7ciK-/view 

I can't wait to be at Mass this evening to see once again the sacrifice in the order of Melchizedek being given to us during the Eucharistic celebration. You are also welcome to join us at any Catholic parishes today! 😇