Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
(Genesis 49:2.8-10; Matthew 1:1-17)
Today’s first reading from Genesis seems to predict the
reign of King David. He appears to be
the mighty lion whom all Israel recognizes as king. David did extend the boundaries of Israel to their
greatest extent while he kept faith in the Lord. Yet his scepter did depart from Judah. His
kingdom did not last forever.
The evangelist Matthew indicates this fact in his genealogy
of Jesus. He notes that around the time
of King Jechoniah Israel went into exile.
Matthew’s intention is to show how the prophecy of eternal kingship is fulfilled
in Jesus of Nazareth. In his gospel Matthew
presents Jesus as of Judah’s line and the conqueror of death on behalf of his
followers. In the author’s eyes Jesus is
the eternal king who will receive homage from all corners of the earth.
The reading of today’s Scripture begins our immediate
preparation for Christmas. In just eight
days we will celebrate the birth of the One who commands our obeisance. He will come to us in the usual ways – in the
gospels, in followers of his law of love and, especially, in the Eucharist. As we look forward to the celebration, let us
reassert his claim on our faithfulness.
