December 17, Friday Advent Weekday

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever. — Psalm 72:(see 7)

Mass reading: Genesis 49:2,8-10 / Matthew 1:1-17

One Father 

When I was young there was no thought of tracing one’s family roots. My grandparents came from the poverty of Ireland and Germany. I never knew the precise location of their origins, my father joking that was probably because we were related to horse thieves. These days, families are more appreciative of their roots, more aware of the passing on of genes, good and bad. 

Interestingly, there are a few spicy characters in Jesus’ background. Matthew begins his genealogy from Abraham, father of the Jewish people, underlining the fact that Jesus was the authentic Jewish Messiah. Luke’s list goes back to Adam, the father of all, stressing that Jesus is the Son of God, Messiah of all races.  

Prayer: O God, we thank You for inviting us to be Your family. May we always rejoice and be humbled by that.