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SATURDAY DECEMBER 17, 2022

Olivia M. Bannan


A reading of the holy Gospel according to Mt 1:1-17


The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.


REFLECTION

"Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ."


With just that one sentence, Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ, one can end the reflection and just meditate on this one statement.


There is so much going on this last week of Advent. I only have 3 ornaments on the Christmas tree, presents are not wrapped, and many friends to visit. Others are last minute shopping with Amazon, UPS, FED Ex arriving and dropping off boxes. Tables are set, dinners planned and gifts are exchanged. Even if not in the "Christmas spirit", inspite of all the "to do lists" we can sober up and stop and think on this. God became man.


God became man, took on all the problems of man, from birth in coldness, hunger, anger, hatred, abuse, persecution, murder just to name a few. He did come from the line of Abraham and David. His ancestors were the great Judges, Kings and Levitical Priests. And yet David was a murderer and Rahab a prostitute. He chose this way to be born and to live.


This is the octave of the preparation of the birth of Jesus. It is like our last chance to prepare spiritually and we see there is an end to Advent and a beginning for Christmas.


We are sometimes so preoccupied with self imposed activities, cooking, shopping, partying, and spending money that we need to stop, ponder, and appreciate all that happened. His lineage was chosen, His birth was known and the poverty of His life was deliberately chosen.


And now we continue the spiritual preparation of our soul.


Savor the story, spend time with the Scriptures, His Word--attend FACE ZBS to be present there in the manger, to know St Joseph, His Mother Mary and the angels excitedly singing His praises. Get to know the rest of His story.


We are about to witness the miracle of all miracles. And this miracle cannot take care of Himself. He is dependent on His creation to live.


Is our anticipation heightened by the gifts under the tree or by the birth of the Savior? We can feel the excitement in the final days of Advent. This anticipation is marked by special prayers of the Liturgy of the Hours. The "O Antiphons" are short sentences sung before the Magnificat at Vespers. They count down the last seven days before Christmas . They dwell on the many Biblical titles of the Lord based on the prophecies of Isaiah.



Day 1

O Wisdom (O Sapientia) – Dec. 17

O Wisdom, O holy Word of God,

you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care:

Come and show your people the way to salvation.


God Bless You










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