A PEOPLE MADE PERFECT

When we read the genealogy of Jesus, there are two things that stand out. First, it is full of imperfect people. As we go through the list, the stories behind each name is sometimes grim. Jacob was a liar. Rahab was a prostitute. David was an adulterer and a murderer. Solomon worshiped idols. Rehoboam was a tyrant… and the list goes on. But in all their imperfection, God continued to bless them according to His will.

       There is a Spanish proverb that says, “God writes straight with crooked lines.” No matter how sinful or unworthy you think you are, you are unique in all the world and you have been placed here for a mission that no one else can accomplish but you. God has blessed you to see it through.

       Second, the story ends in redemption. At the very end of the genealogy, buried in all the names, titles and positions, we see the reason these ancestors were redeemed. In fact, we see reflected in this list our own story of redemption and salvation. Because at the end of it all, everything rests on the Messiah; everything comes together in Jesus. Rod Velez (rod.velez@gmail.com)

Reflection: When the song says, “Let all who come behind us find us faithful,” how true is that in our own lives?

Master, I was born for a reason. Enlighten me to know what that reason is and equip me with strength to accomplish it. May I always reflect Jesus in my life.

It does not matter what we do — we will not derail the will of God in its fullness. We may be able to exclude ourselves from it through sin. However, this will not stop God from saving others who want to be saved. Free will is a necessary aspect of creation and human dignity; it is also the means by which sin can enter our lives. Let us pray for the grace to use all the gifts of God wisely as they will bring us closer to Him and not farther away.

2 Jacob called his sons and said to them: “Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob, listen to Israel, your father. 8 You, Judah, shall your brothers praise — your hand on the neck of your enemies; the sons of your father shall bow down to you. 9 Judah, like a lion’s whelp, you have grown up on prey, my son. He crouches like a lion recumbent, the king of beasts — who would dare rouse him? 10 The scepter shall never depart from Judah, or the mace from between his legs, while tribute is brought to him, and he receives the peoples’ homage.”

R: Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

1 O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the kingʼs son; 2 He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. (R) 3 The mountains shall yield peace for the people, and the hills justice. 4 He shall defend the afflicted among the people, save the children of the poor. (R) 7 Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. 8 May he rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. (R) 17 May his name be blessed forever; as long as the sun his name shall remain. In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; all the nations shall proclaim his happiness. (R)

Genealogies tell us of the blood origin of persons — their heritage. Jesus is a descendant from the House of David through his son, Judah, the same house from which comes the Messiah in Jewish tradition. There is often a desire for people to trace their origins back to discover something of their heritage. Let us not be distracted by this search as we cannot change the past. Let us spend more of our energy shaping the future for our children, rather than worrying about the past.

O wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge.

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 4 Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, 6 Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. 8 Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. 9 Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. 11 Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. 12 After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, 15 Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. 17 Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.

think:  Let us pray for the grace to use all the gifts of God wisely as they will bring us closer to Him.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Wisdom 1-4

FAMILY OF ORIGIN

Today, we are given a lesson in pronouncing names. The long list of names in Jesus’ genealogy is read out to us every year and we yawn our way through it. We tend to think to ourselves, “What is the point of all this?”

       Genealogy is important in Jewish thought. It reveals the nature and background of people and families. Interestingly, we meet a few characters in Jesus’ ancestry that are well known as sinners and unfaithful people. God, we notice, writes with crooked lines. Though it might be messy to behold, God is doing a wonderful work in sending His Son and redeeming humanity. It is quite an amazing experience to see your genealogy and family of origin. I myself learnt much when I was exposed to it. We come to a deeper acceptance and understanding of where things have come to be in our lives and are inspired to move forward in the grace of God.

       My work in the parish involves the youth. It is a great joy to see them open up to the love of God. Over a number of years, we have been conducting a summer school of evangelization. God never ceases to amaze me as I watch the young people come to the Lord. By the end of the summer, they are inflamed with the love of God. Their lives have become different from when they first began. I am amazed when I hear their stories of their personal backgrounds. From some very abusive roots, the kids have opened up to the new life God offers them.

       Similarly, Jesus enters into an imperfect world with an imperfect ancestry. Now, that’s humility! All of us want to be seen as having it all together. Yet, as we take a look at our family of origin, we are reminded of the stark reality that we are not perfect. We are a work-in-progress. And that’s alright. Thank God for having Jesus come into the messiness of humanity. There is hope for us as we invite Jesus into our lives and the lives of our loved ones. God has become one of us and fills us with grace to love Him and return to Him who will grant us healing and restoration. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTION: Have you made a genealogy? Look at your family history and seek to invite the Lord into the lives of your family members. Pray for them today.

Lord, thank You for calling me into a family. Moreover, thank You for inviting me into Your family of grace. Amen.