Readings: Gen. 49:2,8-10, Ps. 72:1-4,7-8,17, Matthew 1:1-17
“The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” (Genesis 49:10)
There is nothing God respects as much as parents’ blessings over their children. If you genuinely love your children, use kind words with them. You may not have all the money in the world to spend on them, but one thing you have in abundance is the power of your words.
Wish your children well even when they offend you or fail to meet your expectations. Pray for them as Saint Monica prayed relentlessly for her son Augustine. Pray for them as Jacob did over his twelve sons, as seen in today’s first reading.
The good news is that you don’t have to wait until you are old before blessing your children. Start praying for them from the very day they are born. Begin by giving them meaningful names. Let it be that whenever your child is called, they are blessed by mentioning their name. This is where our traditional African names excel.
One thing we notice in today’s first reading is that among the twelve sons of Jacob, Judah received the greatest blessing, even though he was not the eldest. Judah’s blessing even included a clause stating that his brothers would bow and sing his praises.
This blessing materialises in our Gospel passage this morning. The genealogy of Jesus reveals a striking detail: Jesus Christ is a descendant of the lineage of Judah. You see, the blessing you give your children may not even be for them per se, but it could follow their bloodline and manifest years later. Be gracious with your blessing.
Our Gospel passage today contains many names; these are the ancestral lines of Judah. Not everyone in this genealogy was outstanding; some were egregious sinners who committed unthinkable acts.
What does this tell us? That God can work through anybody. Stop looking down on yourself. Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future. Say yes to God today, and let your past pass.
Let us pray: O God, Creator and Redeemer of human nature, who willed that your Word should take flesh in an ever-virgin womb, look with favour on our prayers, that your Only Begotten Son, having taken to himself our humanity, may be pleased to grant us a share in his divinity. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (17 December Liturgical Colour: Purple. Bible Study: Gen. 49:2,8-10, Ps. 72:1-4,7-8,17, Matthew 1:1-17)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu