Advent 3rd Week December 17, 2018
Reflection on the WORD
Genealogy: In today’s Gospel, the genealogy proclaims three periods of fourteen generations of the Jesus Christ being in the line of king David. The three phases of: man born for greatness, lost his greatness and regain his greatness through Jesus Christ. Ponder on God’s Presence in your history and daily living.
Mt 1:1-2a,6b,11b,16-17
Roll of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:
Abraham fathered Isaac ....
David fathered Solomon ....
Then the deportation to Babylon took place.
Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary; of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.
The sum of generations is therefore: fourteen from Abraham to David; fourteen from David to the Babylonian deportation; and fourteen from the Babylonian deportation to Christ.
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- •The genealogy of Jesus in today’s Gospel is very significant for the Jews because if the purity of lineage is “tainted” by foreign blood, they can no longer claim to belong to the “Chosen Race.”
- •However, Jesus’ genealogy included Gentiles, women and sinners. Thus Jesus, who fulfils the Old Testaments proclaim a Good News that is inclusive, universal and the salvation of all sinners.
- •Are we prejudiced about races, people who hurt us, the poor and needy who are preventing us from witnessing the Good News of Salvation of Christ?