Trust in the Lord

by Food For Thought on December 17, 2013 ·

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.

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One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 1

<< Tuesday, December 17, 2013 >>

Genesis 49:2, 8-10
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Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8, 17

Matthew 1:1-17
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ALL IN THE FAMILY

"A family record of Jesus Christ…" —Matthew 1:1

The genealogy of Jesus we read in today's Gospel passage shows that our Lord came from the royal line of David, thus proving that Jesus fulfills the qualifications for being the Messiah. In addition, Jesus died as "the King of the Jews" (Jn 19:19). From a human standpoint, therefore, Jesus has royal blood. From a divine standpoint, Jesus also has royal blood. He reigns in heaven as "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Rv 19:16).

When we are baptized into Jesus, we became sons and daughters of God (Catechism, 1997). We now are a part of His royal family, the family of God (Catechism, 1268; 1 Pt 2:9). When we do God's will, we become members of Jesus' family tree (Mt 12:50). We inherit all the promises given to Abraham and his family (Rm 4:13, 16, 23-25). Now that we are members of the family of God, we must learn and practice the "kind of conduct [that] befits a member of God's household, the church of the living God" (1 Tm 3:15). Family members are to live lifestyles that honor the family and never behave in ways that dishonor the family.

As members of God's family, we all have the privilege of eating at the family table, which is the banquet of the Eucharist, the Mass. This is the largest family meal in the world, and by far the most wonderful and fulfilling. We are sons and daughters of God! Let us rejoice that our names are written in heaven, the "family record of Jesus Christ" (Mt 1:1; Lk 10:20).

Prayer: Father, I offer the rest of my life to You. May our family be increased by many thousands of people because of the love we share.

Promise: "May his name be blessed forever; as long as the sun his name shall remain. In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; all the nations shall proclaim his happiness." —Ps 72:17

Praise: "O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, You govern all creation with Your strong yet tender care."