"The Genealogy of Jesus. The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham........
Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah." (Matthew 1: 1, 16).
The Genealogy of Jesus Christ, Son of Abraham, Son of David is the plan built on rock, the rock of God's unalterable faithfulness to redeem mankind. The record of the ancestry of Jesus shows us who God is and how He works in history.
Some years ago, I had weekly discussions with three young Mormon missionaries. I asked them why they think the world needs a Mormon Church when the Catholic Church founded by Jesus Christ Himself has been there from the beginning of the new age. "The Church apostasied. Emperor Constantine led the Church astray. So God decided to start all over." Really? I asked. Then what is the meaning of the Genealogy? At this point, I asked one of the young men to read the Genealogy in Matthew 1. I interrupted to point out scores of deviant personalities: murderer, thieves, prostitute, idol worshippers, etc. Why did the Holy Spirit allow the Genealogy to end with "Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah." (Matthew 1: 1, 16).
They had no answer.
God had decreed that the Redeemer will come out of real humanity.
“The deliverer will come out of Zion, he will turn away godlessness from Jacob;
and this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” (Romans 11: 26 - 27).
"In respect to election, they are beloved because of the patriarchs. For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11: 28 - 29).
Again: "The gift and the call of God are irrevocable." Amen!
The Church teaches that it will arrive at its perfection in the Escathon, the End of the age. As we make our pilgrimage towards our home, the Church labors to grow in the fullness of truth and charity. Each life committed to Christ hastens the Second Coming.
Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus!
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