The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, invite us to show gratitude for the faith of our forefathers and foremothers, in God and in care for their families.
The reading from the Book of Genesis presents Jacob’s Testament and the Sceptre of Judah.
* [49:10] Until tribute comes to him: this translation is based on a slight change in the Hebrew text, which, as it stands, would seem to mean, “until he comes to Shiloh.” A somewhat different reading of the Hebrew text would be, “until he comes to whom it belongs.” This last has been traditionally understood in a messianic sense. In any case, the passage aims at the supremacy of the tribe of Judah and of the Davidic dynasty. (Genesis, CHAPTER 49 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 72 is a prayer for Guidance and Support for the King.
* [Psalm 72] A royal Psalm in which the Israelite king, as the representative of God, is the instrument of divine justice (Ps 72:1–4, 12–14) and blessing (Ps 72:5–7, 15–17) for the whole world. The king is human, giving only what he has received from God. Hence intercession must be made for him. The extravagant language is typical of oriental royal courts. (Psalms, PSALM 72 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew proclaims the Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah.
* [1:17] Matthew is concerned with fourteen generations, probably because fourteen is the numerical value of the Hebrew letters forming the name of David. In the second section of the genealogy (Mt 1:6b–11), three kings of Judah, Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah, have been omitted (see 1 Chr 3:11–12), so that there are fourteen generations in that section. Yet the third (Mt 1:12–16) apparently has only thirteen. Since Matthew here emphasizes that each section has fourteen, it is unlikely that the thirteen of the last was due to his oversight. Some scholars suggest that Jesus who is called the Messiah (Mt 1:16b) doubles the final member of the chain: Jesus, born within the family of David, opens up the new age as Messiah, so that in fact there are fourteen generations in the third section. This is perhaps too subtle, and the hypothesis of a slip not on the part of Matthew but of a later scribe seems likely. On Messiah, see note on Lk 2:11. (Matthew, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
Steve Scholer comments that extending unconditional love to all members of our family might be the best gift we could give to Jesus on his birthday.
To not judge their faults or idiosyncrasies but listen to their thoughts and display patience for their opinions; to extend compassion and kindness to those who may carry unseen burdens; to shower interest and affection even on those who test our patience or may be unable to reciprocate that affection… Love them anyway, with a love that knows no end.
In doing so, through our words and through our actions, we demonstrate to Christ that we have heard his messages from the Gospels reading, and the parables he has taught have not been lost on us. We have learned that the greatest gift we can give is to love one another without measure.
For even among family – especially among family – walking with Christ means walking like Christ.
Merry Christmas. May you experience and share the love of Christ this holy season. (Scholer, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “Judah who received the promise of royalty foreshadows the Christ the King,” by Rufinus (340-410 AD).
"This can be referred to the historical Judah as well as to those kings who were his descendants (Genesis 49:8-10). They broke the back of their enemies by administering the kingdom of that people. But this can also be fittingly referred to Christ, who is praised with good reason by his brothers, that is, by the apostles whom he himself called brothers in the Gospel. And his enemies, on whose back is his hand, appear to be those whom the Father promised to place under his feet by saying, 'Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies under your feet' (Psalm 110:1). They are enemies as long as they are unbelieving and unfaithful, and for that reason they are struck on the back. But after their conversion they become brothers and praise the One who, by summoning them to the adoption of the Father, has made them his coheirs and brothers. It is said correctly that the back of the enemies is struck by Christ. All those who worshiped the idols turned their back to God, as the Lord, through the prophet, accused them by saying, 'They turned their backs to me, and not their faces' (Jeremiah 2:27). Therefore he strikes their back so that after being converted they may turn their back to the idols and raise their forehead to God and may accomplish what is written here: 'Your father's sons shall bow down before you.' In fact, they adore him when they have become sons of the Father and have received the spirit of adoption in which they cry out, 'Abba, Father' (Romans 8:15-16)." No one calls Jesus Christ Lord except those who are in the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3). (excerpt from THE BLESSINGS OF THE PATRIARCHS 1.5)
[Rufinus of Aquileia (340-410) was a friend of the Bible scholar Jerome, and, like Jerome, he departed from Italy to live in the East. For many years he lived in monasteries in Egypt and in Palestine, acquiring the learning of the Eastern churches. Towards the end of his life he returned to Italy and occupied himself in translating works of the earlier Greek Fathers into Latin.] (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 1:1-17 comments that Joseph modeled so many of the teachings Jesus would eventually proclaim.
A humble man. A simple man. A righteous man. Who better than Joseph to show Jesus that holiness comes through humility and quiet submission to God? Who better than Joseph to give Jesus a glimpse into the Beatitudes he would one day announce? And who better than Joseph to teach us the same thing?
“St. Joseph, pray that I can become more and more like your son, Jesus.” (Meditation on Matthew 1:1-17, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the blessings of Jacob on his sons and the tribes of Israel there by initiated. The symbols and genealogy in Matthew show Jesus as Jewish descendant of David who is declared as the “Davidest” through the numerology of DVD as 14 as Matthew counts the descendants in the grouping of the generations. Friar Jude reminds us that Matthew highlights the role of unusual women, especially Mary, in our spiritual heritage.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, locates our essential goodness in being created in the image and likeness of God.
The clear goal and direction of biblical revelation is toward a full mutual indwelling. We see the movement toward union as God walks in the garden with naked Adam and Eve and “all the array” of creation (Genesis 2:1). The theme finds its climax in the realization that “the mystery is Christ within you, your hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). As John excitedly puts it, “You know him because he is with you and he is in you!” (John 14:17). The eternal mystery of incarnation will have finally met its mark, and “the marriage feast of the Lamb will begin” (Revelation 19:7–9). As in the beginning, so in the end. Amen. Let it be so. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)
Our understanding of our spiritual and genetic heritage roots our faith, hope and charity in the blessings of Providence to those generations who have preceded us.
References
Genesis, CHAPTER 49 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/49?2
Matthew, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/1?1
Meditation on Matthew 1:1-17. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 17, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/12/17/1152635/
Psalms, PSALM 72 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/72?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Gift and Guarantee. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 17, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-gift-and-guarantee/
Scholer, S. (2024, December 17). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Retrieved December 17, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/121724.html
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 17, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=dec17
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