“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the son of Abraham…..” – Matthew 1:1
Today we are just one week away from Christmas. We are reminded of why we celebrate Christmas and what we are preparing for during this Advent Season. Today we learn the truth of the identity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, born into this world as Son and heir of Adam, Abraham and David. Many times, I have heard today’s Gospel referred to as one of the dullest readings of the year. But it has one very clear message: Jesus fully entered our human condition, with all its vices and virtues. Matthew’s genealogy shows the continuity of Jesus in the history and tradition of Israel. Jesus was no upstart. It is not a complete genealogy. The names appear one way or another in the Hebrew Testament. Four women are mentioned. Each of them characters in their own right. The list includes scoundrels. Even David, a servant of God who was an adulterer and a murderer.
In speaking with my inmates, I point out that the Son of God became one of us. Matthew makes no effort to “sanitize” His origins or members of His lineage. There is no shortage of skeletons in Jesus’ closet. When John says, “The Word became a human being and lived among us,” he said no less than the truth.
If Jesus was totally incarnated in our world, then we too must be totally incarnated and enflesh the values and concerns of the Kingdom in the way we live our lives.
Father,
We thank You that Your Word was made flesh and pitched His tent among us!
Amen.
Brother James Connolly, C.F.X.
To view the full Advent 2022 booklet in English, click here.
For Spanish, click here.
For French, click here.