Thursday, December 16, 2004

1:26 am

The Catholic Calendar for Friday, December 17, 2004
Friday of the Third Week of Advent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 49:2,8-10
Psalm 73:3-4,7-8,17
Matthew 1:1-17

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"The Book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ"

What is there for us in this list of names? Are we to sit here in awe as an ancient tradition is enacted in which the claim to lineage is announced before all? What are we to make of this?

Well, Matthew has a very clear purpose for his Jewish audience in writing these words? But why has it been kept for us?

For one thing it remains to show us the kingship of the Lord. As Son of David, he is the rightful heir to the throne of Israel. He is truly the priest-king-messiah.

But there is another reason for this long list. Read it carefully as you meet your own family. That's correct. Through adoption we are the brothers and sisters of Jesus, therefore we read this list and we see our own family history. We can trace our own tendencies and traits in this list of figures. We can see our lust and our dedication to God in David. We can see our fidelity in Ruth. As part of the divine family, we trace our roots back through the same line as Jesus. We see in this, a miniature portrait of all that God has redeemed and all that he will redeem. Murderers, prostitutes, and dissolutes--still the Lord called them home and welcomed them.

So, as you read, rejoice, because though your sins are blacker than coal, nevertheless they shall be made white and you will join the royal pageant entering into heaven celebrating the King of Kings who is our Lord and Savior.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)
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Scripture from today's Mass: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
Lives of the saints: http://www.christdesert.org/public_texts/martyrology/
Daily Meditations in Spanish: http://www.daily-meditations.org/SpanishMeditations.html
Daily Meditations in English: http://www.daily-meditations.org/
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