Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": December 17

December 17, 2013: Tuesday, 3rd week of Advent

Readings

Gn 49:2, 8-10 Jacob to sons: Scepter shall never depart from Judah, while he receives homage.

Ps 72:1-4ab, 7-8, 17 "Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever." Blessed be the King who shall govern with justice, defend the afflicted, save the poor...

Mt 1:1-17 Genealogy of Jesus Christ: 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 from David to Babylonian exile, 14 from exile to Christ.

Happy birthday, Pope Francis!

Homily: Genealogy with saints and high-level sinners: God has always walked alongside us, shared our lives. God shows humility, patience, and love. Allow God to write our lives.

Gospel Joy 3.I (Evangelii Gaudium drill-down), starting Chapter 3 (a series):

The entire people of God proclaims the Gospel: A people for everyone: Evangelization is the task of the Church, a people on pilgrimage to God, a mystery existing concretely as pilgrims and evangelizers, transcending institutions.

God's salvation is the work of his mercy; human effort doesn't merit it. God draws us and makes us his children, able to respond to his love. Christ sent the Church as the sacrament of God's salvation. Through evangelizing, she is an instrument of God's grace. It's God's initiative; only by begging can we become evangelizers. Grace is primary.

Salvation is for everyone. God calls people together, not in isolation. Jesus didn't tell the apostles to form an elite group but rather to make disciples of all nations. To those who feel far from God and the Church, or are fearful or indifferent, I say, God is calling you!

Being Church means being God’s people, in accord with his loving plan. Be God’s leaven amid humanity; bring salvation into our world that needs to be encouraged, given hope and strengthened. The Church must be a place of mercy, where everyone can feel loved and forgiven. (3.I, 110-114, pp. 89-92)

Reflections

RC.net: Genealogies help us understand our heritage. Matthew's traces Jesus from Father Abraham through King David. God fulfilled his promises to send a Savior and King, hope for all, in whom we're adopted into a royal priesthood. How do I live as a child of God and member of the Kingdom?

Creighton: Matthew tells early Christians the "genesis" of Jesus. To understand Jesus, understand the chain of God's activity. Jesus is fulfillment as flower is fulfillment of plant and plant of seed. God uses the family tree's saints and sinners.