Matthew 1:1-17
Matthew proclaims a lineage/ancestry of sorts for Jesus. This is not so that Jesus might be able to discover or come to discover things about his ancestors (human family), but rather so that we might come to better understand things about Christ that we should understand. Matthew speaks to us so that we can better understand who Jesus is from understanding HIS roots. This is accomplished in the opening words that are proclaimed, and then follows Christ’s “genealogy”—The Son of David- Son of Abraham. (It is in the Gospel of St Luke that this lineage is traced back even further, to Adam and Eve).
Matthew initially is proclaiming this message to Jewish Christians, bringing the news that Christ has been sent to fulfill the promises that were made to Abraham, the promise that came to David and to all those in his house. If, for Luke, Jesus the Christ is, more than Adam and infinitely more truly, the Son of God, for Matthew, Jesus the Christ is the fulfillment in human history of that salvation which began with Abraham. This is all presented to us through the coming of Christ, whom in indeed the Son of God and truly is the Son of Abraham, David, and of Mary.
We must reflect and remember that this lineage belongs to each one of us. For we each as Christians are reborn in and into Christ. The identity given and imposed on us in this fallen world, and through the history of sin, is abolished and washed clean. Our true nature and our purity is given once again to us through the rebirth into Christ – restoring us as a child of God.
On the feast of the most Holy Trinity we read from the Gospel of John. It is quite interesting that the word “Trinity” is not mentioned at all in either the Old or the New Testament. Trinity comes from a Latin-based word meaning the number three or triad. Although in the New Testament there are many texts that speak of God as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; there is never a direct reference to the Trinity.
familiar with. This Spirit of Truth has a particular task that is bestowed upon them, which is to guide the disciples through the truth—bringing to them the message that is heard from the Father, Son, and Spirit. The Spirit of Truth also functions to glorify the Son—and to then take from the Son, whom has everything the Father has—declaring it all to the disciples—HOW WONDERFUL!
We run into problems is the fact that we are given several different reference points to try and explain the Trinity. One of the most popular is the shamrock—followed closely by the image relation of using the sun. God is of course more than a leaf on a clover, and more than the sun [Father the sun itself, Son is the light, and Spirit the heat]. No matter what image that you use, all of the references lack in some way, creating an incomplete and problematic approach to trying to explain the presence of the Trinity. It is, of course, best to go back to the Scripture for the understanding.
Taking a look at this mystery we can see that it is nearly impossible to fully understand it. The mystery of the Trinity is not something we can understand in this world, and we should not try to understand it. We should engage in a deeper relationship to get to know God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. There is no distinct answer that can ever be given, but then why would you want to solve that mystery. By maintain the mystery of the Trinity we care thus called into a developing relationship. We can be continually filled with wonder and LOVE!
Seeking forgiveness is a sign of humanity. This is something we do not always seek to do, which is why we often find ourselves in situations that are hard to control, full of grief and ultimately difficult for us to understand. But a even bigger task that we are given is to not only seek forgiveness, but to forgive those who have done wrong unto us… That one sure is hard for most EVERYONE to do! But that forgiveness of others is in fact the pathway to salvation. Do not seek to admire Christ by asking for forgiveness, seek to be a follower of Christ and deliver that forgiveness!
Do not compare the gifts that each of us have. They all come from the same place. What a boring world it would be if we all had the exact same thing [though we do in the redemption of Christ]. Instead of comparing, let us look toward asking ourselves how we can use the gifts that we each have for the good of ALL GOD’S PEOPLE.
Gospel Acclamation: John 14:18
In fact, we often do this too well! It is easier for us to want to believe that things should all blend in and be the same. We are then able to find those things that are different and easily call them out. But have we forgot that Christ did not pray for us to be the same? He prayed for us to be united. If we actually looked closer at what we felt were different we might actually see that they have more in common than they often do different. IF we spend more time trying to find that common ground rather than trying to find ways to set people, and even groups, apart, then we will actually find ourselves in a position to better understand and fulfill Christs prayer for all of us.
In the psalm we find Israel worshiping among other nations who serve other gods. In present day, idols are not foreign gods, but rather the things that we allow to take a higher place than God in our lives. Chaos and despair are bound to rule when we allow things such as: money, power, fame, drugs, pornography, hate or anything “thing” come before God or take a place above God. When we can find the personal will power to place all of these things below God, and submit ourselves to the powerful God—allowing him to become: “Most High over All the Earth”; it is THEN that we will find peace and unity among all the nations.
disciples huddled in the Upper Room, He again reminds them that Peace should be with them. He reminds them: “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” Christ NEVER tires of offering this offering of Peace.
Gentiles receive the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection and are brought into the early Church with their Jewish brothers and sisters. Then we are given a vision of the Holy City [Jerusalem], becoming a beacon for the world and all nations to “walk by its light”, and to be shared to all peoples.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
Those in the early Church were faced with great adversity. Even our Apostles suffered greatly [John is the exception as he died from old age on the island of Patmos] –they were martyrs of the violence inflicted unto Christians by the Romans. Because of this persecution, many people would have had reason to doubt Jesus, to doubt the word of God—to flee from His promise of Salvation. Yet, He gives us the message that NO ONE can take them from the palm of His hand. Even in death, we are not separated from our Heavenly Father. Our Good Shepherd gives us Eternal Life, something that NEVER changes.
God’s people, that we are a community with Him. That we cannot be taken from Him. Even though we receive the call individually, we come to our Lord as a community. As a GROUP of disciples that are there to listen to the Lord and to go forth and bring others to Him. In this multitude we experience diversity, knowing that ALL are welcome.
God does in fact have a powerful ability to draw people to what is important. Of course, the structure of the Cathedral itself is important-but what is more important is the powerful lessons that are found within. The message, mercy, meaning, and love of God is what is important, material things can be replaced.
It is. Through their living and life that I am reminded that God always provides a path. This Holy Week is a period when I see the change at its greatest. I look at all of the movies that are being released, and how through the popular activity of going to the movies and seeing the latest MOTION PICTURE that we are given a tool of change. This year we were given a tool through UNPLANNED; a movie that provides us with an insight of the evils of abortion. The false truths that are given to cover the fact that we in fact are committing murder every time we allow an abortion to happen—through this act we diminish life. SHAZZAM! This movie is powerful in showing that family is important to get through tough times. Families often change, but what remains constant is the love and support they provide. The seven deadly sins are portrayed in the movie and show that they in fact can be overcome if we work hard. Prayer is also a central theme in the movie. BREAKTHROUGH. Though I have not yet seen the movie, it is built around the unstoppable power of prayer. That through trust in God that anything is possible, and how that prayer can bring us all together.
“Christianity, properly understood, is a religion of losers – the worst of playground insults. For not only do we not want to be a loser, we don’t want to associate with them either. We pointedly shun losers, as if some of their loser-ness might rub off on us. Or rather, more honestly, we shun them because others might recognize us as among their number. And because we secretly fear that this might actually be true, we shun them all the more viciously, thus to distance ourselves all the more emphatically. And so the cock crows three times.
wanted simply because of who they are and not because of what they achieve. That despite it all, raw humanity is glorious and wonderful, entirely worthy of love. This is revealed precisely at the greatest point of dejection. The resurrection is not a conjuring trick with bones. It is a revelation that love is stronger than death, that human worth is not indexed to worldly success.”
Dr. Lawrence V. McCrobie 
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