[ Today's Readings ]
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,
the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Why a genealogy? It sure seems tedious. It is a lot of names we don't know and maybe a few we do. But the genealogies are present because Jesus is real. He is not a myth. He is not the character in an epic poem. Matthew and Luke present genealogies precisely because Jesus is a real purpose who comes at a real point in history.
The genealogy is an antidote to our tendency to over spiritualize Jesus. We sometimes treat Jesus more like an idea than a person. We treat him more like an embodiment of our own voice of conscience than someone who speaks to us from outside of ourselves. Most everyone else that has a genealogy can't be approached easily or on demand. We must call them or visit them or take other steps to communicate. We learn from the genealogy not to take it for granted that Jesus says, "I am with you always" (cf. Matthew 28:20). This might be how our conscience works. It is more or less 'always on.' But it is not usually how it works with concrete persons with whom we can have relationship. Yet it is how it works with Jesus. It reminds us of his reality. It reminds us that he approaches us from outside of ourselves. Even so, he is always there waiting for us.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me (cf. Revelation 3:20).
The genealogy reveals God's mercy. It shows that he is even able to work through sinful people to be present to the world. Many people on the list commit great sins. Yet God uses these as part of his plan to become present to the world in spite of their failings. Because he is real and because he comes from outside of us our failings don't limit him. Yet we see too that he does not choose to work apart from these flawed individuals. He can work through us as well. He wants to work through us.
The genealogy reveals God's faithfulness to his promise.
The scepter shall never depart from Judah,
or the mace from between his legs,
While tribute is brought to him,
and he receives the people’s homage
God enthrones Jesus as the king who reigns forever, whose "scepter shall never depart from Judah". Genealogy is fulfillment. It is not wishful thinking. It is concrete and historical. So too, then, shall be his promises for us.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (cf. Philippians 1:6).
God in Jesus Christ is fully qualified to bring an age of genuine peace into the world of concrete history. He begins in the lives of Christians but he does not stop there.
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
He begins in our lives. But he works through our lives to make his peace present in the world. This is the peace for which the world longs, the peace which the world needs.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
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