COLLECT: “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”.
Gen 49:2,8-10; Ps 71:1-4,7-8,17; Mt 1:1-17.
NB. From today, 17th to 24th December, the liturgy, with the scriptures allows us to prepare more directly for the Lord’s birth.
Customarily and culturally, among many cultures, especially the African cultures and customs, when a father is blessed with old age, and he is about to pass on, he calls his children, especially his sons, together, even if some are far away, to give them his parting words and blessing.
This is the picture we have in the passage of the Book of Genesis we meditate on today. Jacob (Israel) summoned his sons together and imparted his blessings upon them. Judah, who would be an ancestor of David, is, however, specially blessed for “tribute is brought to him, and he receives the people’s homage”. Judah’s tribe will dominate the other tribes until the Saviour comes.
This seemingly prophetic statement of Jacob is fulfilled in Jesus in his genealogy, presented by Matthew in his gospel (Mt 1:1-17). Jesus is the Saviour, who has descended from David and who will occupy the throne of King David. The genealogy is traced to Abraham to show that Jesus is a true Jew
The genealogy contains a procession of a few saints and many sinners. The inclusion of sinners according to Jewish mentality, especially sinful women like Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Uriah indicates that Jesus is truly the expected Messiah and Saviour who has come to look for sinners and save them.
In fact, Jesus does not expect perfection in the world or in humanity. It is human to always acknowledge our sinful nature and unrealistic to always expect perfection in humanity and in the world. In that case, Jesus became man to save sinful and fallen humanity.
If we allow our faith to help us identify and acknowledge our unworthiness because of our sinful deeds and humbly come to Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour, we shall become adopted sons and daughters of God. Lord, help me to know and understand that it is not realistic to expect perfection in myself or in others in this world. Therefore, let me always prepare and be available to you to save me. Stay blessed, and may your working week, which you begin today, be blissful.
WE MEDITATE TODAY, TUESDAY, ON THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES: ‘THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN, THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR, THE CROWNING WITH THORNS, THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS AND THE CRUCIFIXION’ (WE PRAY FOR SORROW FOR SIN, PURITY, COURAGE, PATIENCE, AND PERSEVERANCE) “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and the hour of our death, Amen”.
PRAYER: “NOURISHED BY THESE DIVINE GIFTS, ALMIGHTY GOD, WE ASK YOU TO GRANT OUR DESIRE: THAT, AFLAME WITH YOUR SPIRIT, WE MAY SHINE LIKE BRIGHT TORCHES BEFORE YOUR CHRIST WHEN HE COMES. WHO LIVES AND REIGNS FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, UW/R, Ghana. (00233) 0207867239/0545462863. Email: aloybaya20@yahoo.
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