17th December
Genesis 49:2,8-10 | Psalm 71(72):1-4,7-8,17 | Matthew 1:1-17
Matthew’s Gospel begins with a recitation of the genealogy of Jesus. This list is rather conveniently divided into three chunks of 14 generations (except a possibly missing name in the last), and it differs dramatically from Luke’s own record of Christ’s genealogy (Luke 3:23-38), so generations of biblical scholars have naturally seen fit to pick all the nits they could find in Matthew’s list. We are human, after all, and it’s easy to presume that Matthew may have taken some poetic license.
But for me, what stands out is the very first line:
A genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham (Matthew 1:1)
The link to King David is almost certainly an emphasis that Jesus was born into a royal line, and could claim by blood right (in human terms) to be King of the Jews.
Singling out Jesus’ link to Abraham, however, is more interesting; I’m inclined to agree with those who speculate that this is an oblique reference to His universal work of salvation, as God promised Abraham for his willingness to sacrifice his only son:
All the nations of the earth shall bless themselves by your descendants, as a reward for your obedience. (Genesis 22:18)
✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞
What relevance does this have for me? Well, I can’t trace my lineage past my own grandparents, but since artificial fertilization was a recent invention, I can confidently claim to be the product of an unbroken line of ancestors, all the way back to the beginning of humanity.
Some of them might have been criminals and rogues, just as there were at least three “bad kings” whom Matthew chose not to mention, but every generation chooses its own fate in God’s eyes. Even for less-savory individuals, God has always been willing to accept their sincere repentance and stay His wrathful hand, so it’s never too late to turn back to God with all our heart,
Thus, though it’s clear now that my line will end with me, I choose to follow Joshua’s example:
As for me and my House, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)
Amen.
Mother Church begins the ancient practice of singing the O Antiphons today, so let us do the same, but with a more modern translation:
O come, thou Wisdom, born in heaven’s height
Come peacefully, Thy peoples set aright
To us the path of knowledge show
And help us in that way to goRejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel