DAILY- HOMILY

December 17, 2013

Tuesday 3^rd Week of Advent – Year I

Gen 49:2, 8-10 / Ps 72: 1-2. 3-4ab. 7-8. 17 / Mt 1:1-17

Genesis 49:2, 8-10

"Gather round, sons of Jacob. And listen to your father Israel! Judah, your brothers will praise you! You shall seize your enemies by the neck! Your father's sons shall bow before you. Judah, a young lion! You return from the prey, my son! Like a lion he stoops and crouches, and like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? The scepter shall not be taken from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs, and who has the obedience of the nations.

Matthew 1:1-17

This is the account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (their mother was Tamar), Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron of Aram. Aram was the father of Aminadab, Aminadab of Nahshon, Nahshon of Salmon. Salmon was the father of Boaz. His mother was Rahab. Boaz was the father of Obed. His mother was Ruth. Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of David, the king. David was the father of Solo mon. His mother had been Uriah's wife. Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Then came the kings: Abijah, Asaph, Jehoshaphat, Joram, Uz ziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Ma nasseh, Amon, Josiah. Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the deportation to Babylon. After the deportation to Babylon, Jechoniah was the father of Sala thiel and Salathiel of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud, Abiud of Eliakim, and Eliakim of Azor. Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, and Akim the father of Eliud. Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar of Matthan, and Matthan of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and from her came Jesus who is called the Christ —the Messiah. There were then fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, and fourteen generations from David to the deportation to Babylon, and fourteen generations from the deportation to Babylon to the birth of Christ.

Reflection

It is quite amazing that we can actually trace the roots of Jesus Christ for fourteen generations. Why, we have difficulty in our family tree even just up to the fifth generation. The historical genealogy of Jesus Christ under judges, kings, high priests and priests has been on track despite all the changes of government and sins of man. This can highlight one important fact: that God is faithful to what He promises. God has promised a Savior. He promised Abraham land for his numerous offspring. And despite all the impossible events, God made his promise possible. God makes it happen! We can say that our God is the God of the impossible, of great imagination that goes beyond all time. All creation obeys and remains faithful to the Creator. If God has said it, God will fulfill it no matter what. This is also true in our lives. If God has promised that he would take care of us, He will go to all lengths to do it in His time and in His plan. Everything God foretells will happen, so we should put our complete trust in the Lord.

Prayer Requests

We pray …

… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.

… for the speedy recovery and healing of

-               Lorenzo Meoli

-               Cely Katigbak

-               Ditas dela Paz, Toots Monfort, Virginia Hernandez, and Fleur Torres

-               Eric

-               Joy Droke

… for the personal intentions of

-               Feliciana Bonsol

-               Beny Chua

-               Pauline

… for the eternal repose of the souls of Victor Borja. Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.

… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.

-               Birthday: Celia Lim

-               Birthday: Felixon Dean A. Saw

-               In Memoriam (+): Wellington V. Chan

… for families who are in need of healing

… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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