Based on Matthew 1:1-17
How Did I Get Here?
I often like to contemplate the chain of events that brought me to existence. I wonder what sort of things had to happen for my father and mother to meet. I then dive deeper into grandparents, great-grandparents and on and on. Could one missed appointment have meant my not being born? Could a premature death changed our family’s lineage forever? I also like to think about the people in my lineage. Were they honorable? Thieves? Nobles? Murderers? Servants? Were there adulterers in my family tree? Kings? Lords? Peasants? In this way, my family history fascinates me.
Jesus’ Family and Ours
Today we are introduced to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph’s family history. Both Joseph and Mary are from the house or line of King David and so we call Jesus “Son of David.” It is interesting that, like many of our families, their family was not perfect. Their lineage from Abraham to Joseph is made up of some of the greatest figures in history and some of the lowest. Kings and murderers, heroes and harlots fill their family tree.
We may be tempted to imagine how much better their family tree, or ours, would be without the “bad” characters. However, if we were to remove even one person, the tree is changed forever. If we were to remove Tamar the prostitute, there would be no Jesse and no David. If were to remove Rehoboam, David’s grandson who refused to listen to wise counsel and brought about the destruction of Israel, we would have no Joseph or Mary.
Saint Paul reminds us often that we are part of God’s family. We are sons and daughters of the Father and brothers and sisters of the Christ. Yet, we understand that while here on earth, on this pilgrimage, there will always be problems in our family. Just as in our earthly families we cannot choose our parents or siblings we cannot choose them with our spiritual and eternal family. Our choice is to love all of our relations and pray for them equally no matter how difficult that may be.
Saint Paul also tells us that “all things work for good for those who love God.” God can turn even the sinful actions of our brothers and sisters, and our own sinful actions, into good. We need only look to Jesus’ own lineage to understand this.
These are all good things to keep in mind as many of us prepare to join together with our families for Christmas. No one is without or beyond hope.
Lord Jesus, thank You for my earthly and heavenly family. Thank You for the gift of Your Mother who constantly intercedes on my behalf. Give me the courage to pray for my family members that they might come closer to You. Remind me to pray for my ancestors that they might join You in eternal happiness.
Challenge: Read today’s Gospel (Matthew 1:1-17), pick one or two characters and learn more about them. Learn who they were, what they did (good & bad). How are they like you? How are they different? What can they teach us about the human condition? How can you apply this lesson to your own life? How did God use them for His plan? How is He using you?
James M. Hahn, Author 