A WORD FOR TODAY 17 DECEMBER 2019

A WORD FOR TODAY

GOD'S PLAN FOR THE SALVATION OF MAN CAME TO FULFILMENT IN CHRIST JESUS

As we have entered into the second part of Advent today, a time when we focus and meditate more on the birth of Christ which we shall celebrate at Christmas. The readings of this day focuses on the genealogy of Jesus Christ who is the saviour of the world. This is to show the world that He has a family root that is traceable from one generation to another.

In this genealogy of Jesus Christ as recorded by saint Matthew, we see that it has three stages. The beginning traces it from Abraham to David and from David to the deportation into Babylon and from the deportation into Babylon to Jesus Christ. This shows that Jesus shared in the blessings of Abraham as the father of all nations and also that He is a king from the lineage of David and the kingdom of Judah. He came so as to redeem humanity and make us strong again.

This story highlights a deep spiritual meaning in the history of man. We could see that man was born and destined for greatness from the very beginning. God made man in His own image and likeness and gave him the power to be fruitful. He was born to be a king and to always have fellowship with God. However, he eventually became a slave to sin through his willful disobedience of God's commandment. God did not allow man to be destroyed, instead, He sent His only begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to come and pay the supreme price for the redemption of man so that he can assume the position that God has prepared for him from the foundation of the world.

Another beautiful part of this genealogy of Jesus Christ is that it brought down the barrier between Jews and Gentiles. God's love is for all both believers and non believers and through this love those who are yet to come to know Him will receive the grace to come into the light. It also shows us that both male and female are equal in God's sight as the names of two women were mentioned. Therefore, if we belong to Christ we must never discriminate against people. God can make use of anyone for His own glory, even those who lived an unworthy life. This is the reason He sent His Son to come into the world in order to save it from eternal destruction.

Jesus came for a reason, which is to redeem and restore man to his original position where he could fellowship with the Lord and be at peace. Sin entered into the world through man's disobedience and if Jesus had not come, we would have become slaves to sin forever, but through His birth, suffering, death and resurrection, He has poured out His blood so that we shall be set free from the dominion of darkness and transferred into His kingdom of light.

By virtue of our baptism we share in this mission of Christ to win souls into the kingdom of light. We must prepare to welcome Him at Christmas by making the resolve to live a good life and to stay away from the things that will make us to be enslaved to sin again. What we celebrate at Christmas is something that happened in history that changed the world. We must be joyful for the season, but more importantly we must let Jesus be born in our hearts so that He can dwell in us and through us continue to save souls.

Good morning dearest one. Smile as you do your work and do have a wonderful day. May Jesus give you the grace to remain steadfast in your faith and may He work through you to save lives. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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

Watch-Word: In His days shall justice flourish, and great peace forever.

We have a mission from Jesus Christ and in obedience we must let Him work in us so as to bring this purpose to fulfilment.

(Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent, Year A)