all in the family
"A family record of Jesus Christ…" —Matthew 1:1
The genealogy of Jesus we read in today's Gospel passage shows that our Lord came from the royal line of David, thus proving that Jesus fulfills the qualifications for being the Messiah. In addition, Jesus died as "the King of the Jews" (Jn 19:19). From a human standpoint, therefore, Jesus has royal blood. From a divine standpoint, Jesus also has royal blood. He reigns in heaven as "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Rv 19:16).
When we are baptized into Jesus, we became sons and daughters of God (Catechism, 1997). We now are a part of His royal family, the family of God (Catechism, 1268; 1 Pt 2:9). When we do God's will, we become members of Jesus' family tree (Mt 12:50). We inherit all the promises given to Abraham and his family (Rm 4:13, 16, 23-25). Now that we are members of the family of God, we must learn and practice the "kind of conduct [that] befits a member of God's household, the church of the living God" (1 Tm 3:15). Family members are to live lifestyles that honor the family and never behave in ways that dishonor the family.
As members of God's family, we all have the privilege of eating at the family table, which is the banquet of the Eucharist, the Mass. This is the largest family meal in the world, and by far the most wonderful and fulfilling. We are sons and daughters of God! Let us rejoice that our names are written in heaven, the "family record of Jesus Christ" (Mt 1:1; Lk 10:20).
Prayer: Father, I offer the rest of my life to You. May our family be increased by many thousands of people because of the love we share.
Promise: "May his name be blessed forever; as long as the sun his name shall remain. In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; all the nations shall proclaim his happiness." —Ps 72:17
Praise: "O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, You govern all creation with Your strong yet tender care."
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 17, 2013
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