Daily Readings - Thu Dec 17 2020
Genesis
2"Assemble and listen, O sons of Jacob, listen to Israel your father.8"Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons shall bow down before you.9Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him?10The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
Matthew
1The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.2Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,3and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram,4and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon,5and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,6and Jesse the father of David the king.And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah,7and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph,8and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah,9and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,10and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah,11and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.12And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,13and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor,14and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud,15and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob,16and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.17So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through two pivotal passages that weave together the tapestry of God's plan. The first reading from Genesis 49:2, 8-10 captures Jacob's final blessing over his sons, with a particular emphasis on Judah. Jacob prophesies that the scepter will not depart from Judah, signaling the coming of a great leader, the Messiah. This passage is set in the context of Jacob's last moments, imparting wisdom and prophetic vision to his sons, highlighting Judah's significant role in Israel's future.
The Gospel from Matthew 1:1-17 presents Jesus' genealogy, tracing His lineage from Abraham to Joseph, the husband of Mary. This list of names, often overlooked, is a testament to God's faithfulness across generations. It connects the prophecy from Genesis to its fulfillment in Jesus, the Messiah from Judah. Matthew's genealogy bridges the Old and New Testaments, illustrating how Jesus is the culmination of God's promises.
Reflecting on these readings, we see the importance of trust and patience in God's timing. The generations between Jacob and Jesus remind us that our role in God's story is unique, yet part of a larger narrative. Each name in Jesus' genealogy, like each of us, contributes to the unfolding of God's plan. This teaches us to trust in God's providence, even when His timing seems slow, and to recognize our place within His greater story.
In conclusion, these readings invite us to embrace patience and trust in God's plan. Just as the Messiah came after many generations, we too can trust that God is working through us and our circumstances. Let us find comfort and purpose in being part of His ongoing story, knowing that each moment is a step towards His ultimate fulfillment.