Posted by The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr Florencio Lagura SVD – New Jersey, USA
December 17 – Advent
“Tell me who your parents and ancestors are, and I will tell you who you are.” Understandably, a good number of families are highly discriminating in the selection of spouses for their children.
However, a look at Jesus’ family tree, one notices glaringly unsavory details. First, the family tree includes women. In those times the female sex was not only considered weaker, but even unworthy to be placed on equal footing with the male. A rabbi would pray, “Lord, I thank Thee for not making me a woman.”
This low attitude towards women apparently worsens with the recognition of three women characters in Jesus’ genealogy. First, Rahab, a prostitute, but with a kind heart; she saved the lives of Israelite spies. Then, Tamar who disguised herself as a prostitute, then sitting on the road seduced her father-in-law, Jacob, so she could have a son as was her right. Third, Batsheba who was also party to the sin and crime of adultery, for she bathed in her porch in full view of David who happened to be looking from his royal palace.
The question arises: Is God not careful in choosing his own ancestors? Obviously not! The Lord Jesus took on flesh from the line of men and women, some of whom were not really virtuous.
As St. Francis observed: that the Son of God willed to incarnate himself from a long line of men and women, some of whom were rebellious, murderous, or adulterous makes us truly humble. But, deeply grateful too.
From the company he kept and came from, we realize that God in his infinite goodness truly loves us.
