Wednesday of the
Third Week of Advent
(Genesis 49:2.8-10; Matthew 1:1-17)
Today the “O” Antiphons launch the Church’s proximate
preparation for Christmas. These verses,
which make up the traditional carol “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” convey the
desire of all good people for a savior. Today’s
verse pictures the savior as wisdom which will distinguish helpful knowledge
from vanity.
The gospel reading traces Jesus’ lineage through David
and Judah to Abraham. It goes through Solomon,
the Jewish father of wisdom. More
importantly, it exemplifies the order that wisdom creates – forty-two generations
from Abraham to Jesus, divided into three groups of fourteen, which itself is
twice the number of perfection.
If one could make a Christmas request, wisdom would make
a worthy choice. It rounds out a good
life with the dual senses of gratitude for what we have and patience for what we
lack. When we seek wisdom in Jesus, we appreciate him as a life-long companion
who will guide truly us to our destiny.
