The Genealogy of Jesus

Today's Reflections

January 6, 2012

St. André Bessette
Friday before Epiphany
WHITE

1 Jn 5:5-13
Ps 147
Lk 3:23-38 [or Mk 1:7-11]
 

The Genealogy of Jesus

²³When Jesus began his ministry he was about thirty years of age. He was the son, as was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, ²⁴the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, ²⁵the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, ²⁶the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, ²⁷the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, ²⁸the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, ²⁹the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, ³⁰the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, ³¹the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, ³²the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, ³³the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, ³⁴the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, ³⁵the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, ³⁶the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, ³⁷the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, ³⁸the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Reflection:

The son of Adam, the son of God. Both Matthew and Luke give us a genealogy of Jesus. Matthew, who writes mostly for Jewish Christians, traces the generation of Jesus from Abraham, the father of the Hebrew people, whose blessing would also extend to all peoples.

Writing mostly to Christians of Gentile origin, Luke has an unusual account in that it begins with Jesus and progresses backward through history, rather than following the order of chronological succession. His genealogy traces all the way back to Adam, demonstrating the relationship of Jesus to all mankind—he is the Savior of the world. The phrase “the son of Adam, the son of God” reveals the evangelist’s religious purpose; he stresses the divine origin of the human race. It sees divine sonship already present among men and waiting to be fully realized through Jesus.

Trace your family tree, as far as you can. Can you pinpoint God’s finger at work in it?