“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham.” – Matthew 1:1
Brother Jan Devadder, C.F.X., titled his dense, heavily foot-noted, two-volume biography of Theodore James Ryken, Rooted in History. Brother Jan knew that to sustain the mission of the Xaverian Brothers and to nourish the spiritual hunger of Ryken’s followers, it was necessary to know their roots. Inscribed in the lobby of Founders Hall at Saint John’s are the words: “We cannot know who we are unless we know where we have been and from whom we have come.”
It is not surprising that Matthew begins the Good News with the genealogy of Jesus Christ, beginning with Abraham, our father in faith, and continuing through forty-two generations. What an amazing way to proclaim that Jesus is truly rooted in our salvation history!
Our profession of faith declares Jesus Christ is “the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father.”
The mystery of the Incarnation, that God became man, the central mystery of our faith, challenges us almost beyond belief. Yet, we believe. We persevere. We trust in the name of the Lord.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Lord God, help us to grow in faith in the Word made flesh and trust in your divine providence. Give us grace to share your love through all generations.
Stephen Gregory