Wait! Don't skip the genealogy! Because we love the Lord, we can't wait to learn more about Him. Here's a few things God reveals about Himself in the genealogy:

• Jesus Christ is a human being, God made man.
• Jesus is God, the Messiah, born of a virgin (Mt 1:16, 18).
• Family comes first — these are the first verses of the New Testament, and God can't wait to introduce His family.
• God works through people — lots of them.
• God loves families. Jesus lived in one for thirty years.
• Some family members are extraordinary (e.g. Mary, Joseph, David); others are faithful (e.g. Ruth, Josiah); some are nondescript (e.g. Eliud, Azor); others are despicable (e.g. Manasseh, Rehoboam). Jesus considers them all His family. God's plan was accomplished through each one.
• Some, like Ruth and Rahab, were outsiders but were welcomed into God's family for their loving faithfulness.
• God is pro-life. He loves fathers, mothers, and children.
• God has a place in His plan for every baby, including those born of prostitution (Perez — Mt 1:3; Gn 38:1-30), injustice (Solomon — Mt 1:6; 2 Sm 11:1-27), and mixed marriages (Obed — Mt 1:5; Ru 4:5ff).
• God is patient. His plan may take a long time to unfold.
• "God is not ashamed to be called their God" (Heb 11:16) and Jesus is not ashamed of His family. He loves them.

"Beloved, we are God's children now" (1 Jn 3:2). Let us love our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend David L. Zink, June 12, 2002

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 13, 2002