Jesus' Exciting Genealogy Father François Beyrouti's Homilies.

Jesus’s Exciting Genealogy.
 Sunday, December 22, 2019 homily by Father François Beyrouti.
 Hebrews 11:9-10, 32-40. Matthew 1:1-25.
 Sunday Before the Nativity of our Lord. Genealogy of Christ. 

 Homily.
 As you were listening to today’s Gospel reading, I’m sure you were thinking “This is the most exciting Gospel I have ever heard.”
 
 What could be more exciting than finding out that “Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab, and Amminadab begot Nahshon?” Of course, things get even more exciting when we find out that “Nahshon begot Salma, and Salma begot Boaz and Boaz begot Obed.”
Weren’t you excited when you heard this? Maybe not so much.

 Actually, when Matthew compiled this genealogy he was very excited and when people first heard it they too were very excited. Matthew spent many hours compiling this list. He also had to check with many people to make sure that the names and their relationship to each other are correct.
 
 Perhaps today we have lost excitement for genealogies because most of us probably cannot name our great grandfather. Even if we were to name our ancestors, we would not really think there’s an important connection between them and us.
 
 However, this genealogy is important because in the Old Testament, God became known to the larger world by the witness of those who believed in Him. In the midst of a variety of cultures, everyone believed in different kinds of gods. The difference in the Old Testament, is that the one and true God revealed Himself to people.
 
 This is exciting because God is not an idea or a force. God makes Himself known through creation and nature, but more importantly through people. That is why the phrase “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” became a way to reinforce that God makes Himself known to many people in successive generations. Therefore, the Bible reveals who God is as the God of the universe and also emphasizes the personal nature of God who reveals Himself to each and every one of us.
 
 This genealogy is very exciting because it is not intended to be an abstract list of names. It primarily emphasizes the important role God played in the life of all these people. This list also shows that God not only works in the past but is faithful to every generation. He remains faithful to generation after generation right down to our own generation. The God of our ancestors is not only a God who works wonders for others in the past, but is our God who works wonders for us when we respond to His blessings.
 
 After reading this genealogy, our interest should be heightened and our curiosity should lead us to learn the story of each and ask how each responded to God. We can ask: “How did God appear to Abraham? And how did Abraham respond?” “How did God speak to Solomon? And how did Solomon respond?” “How did God guide David? And how did David respond?” Then we should ask: “How did God appear to Joseph and how did Joseph respond?” And “How did God appear to Mary and how did Mary respond?”
 
 When we find the response story of each, this list becomes very exciting. No one on the list we read today was always perfect. They all had their doubts and some of them committed very serious sins. However, despite their imperfections, God remained faithful and kept revealing Himself in many ways to them and to their descendants. God never gave up on them and despite our imperfections God never gives up on us.

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