DECEMBER 17, 2011
Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
Reading 1: Genesis 49: 2, 8-10
Psalm: Psalm 72: 1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 17
Gospel: Mt 1: 1-17
Who are these people? That’s the first question I had in mind when I finished reading the passage.
A string of ancient names, some we recognize and some we don’t. Some we know because of their greatness, some because of their wrongdoings and some were just simply forgotten with time.
List of names of only a few are familiar to us. These names are all born with promise and purpose with mixed characters and capability, who struggled with life. This list of ancient names, which are compose of an incredible line of diverse people; Patriarchs and Kings, Righteous people, Prisoners, adulterers, murderers and harlots. These people were not perfect, none of them were. Each one of them has struggled. Surrendering to God or to follow their own will and some glorified God and some lived to themselves. This is the genealogy of Jesus Christ. The birth of our King.
In an earlier time of my life I have questioned myself whether I’d do great things in my life. It was an early time in my life when I was confused and ungrateful. I was unhappy with the things as they were, unhappy with failed relationships and unbearable circumstances. Also, I questioned whether I deserved the blessings that came and the suffering that came along with it. But this passage teaches me, that even Jesus Christ was not born into a life of luxury. Even the Lord of Lords came into this world from a long line of imperfections, but that did not stop him from fulfilling the great destiny that awaited him. This taught me that even I, as simple and troubled as I am, have something far greater in store for and all of it was perfectly planned and prepared by a wonderful God. And all I have to do now is have enough courage to sift through the pain and suffering, move forward and be thankful for the graces that I have been blessed with all my life.
We should heed our past but never let it define our present but only to learn from it for our future, so we can be better and stronger as a person and be able to fulfill whatever great destiny that awaits us in our future.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do I let my past define me now?
2. What can I do to not let the past define me and move forward?
MS. GLADYS KAYE CHUA
Alumna
