Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:1-17

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the genealogy of Christ. So why do we need to know our genealogy? It helps us understand who we are and where we come from. We hear that Jesus is a direct descendant of Abraham, the Father of God’s chosen people and of the house of David, the King of Israel. This genealogy fulfills the Old Testament scriptures which promised that a descendant of the house of David would come to save us from our enemies. The linage presented in Matthew confirms that Christ is the promised Messiah, the Son of Man sent to save us.

Like Moses who freed the Israelites from the bondage of Pharaoh’s slavery, Jesus freed us from the bondage of sin. We know from this Gospel reading that Christ is the hope which was sent to lead man to the Kingdom of God. Christ was the greatest present of all given to humanity. This small present wrapped in swaddling clothes fulfilled all the prophecies of the Old Testament. This small package, born of the Virgin Mary, came to adopt all of humanity. Christ was not a present just for the Jews but for all Nations. Through Christ, we are adopted into the royal family, through Christ, we are delivered to the Kingdom of God.

This year, as we prepare for Christmas, we should ask ourselves, “Who am I?” Such a simple question can stir some very deep thoughts. Am I truly committed to Christ? Am I willing to do the will of Christ? Am I ready for Christ in my life? While we ask “Am I…,” we must recall that I AM is here among us. I AM the Word made flesh. I AM the light of the world. As we continue our journey through advent, release those items which steer us away from the Christ child. We need to look to heavens to find guidance. Find the Star which leads us to his doorstep.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, you are the Messiah from the house of David.

You are the savior of the world and the hope for all of humanity.

You are my Lord and Master, take my heart and my soul

Give me the strength to do your will.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon