By his sin, Adam warped the human family tree. Jesus transformed and rebuilt it. In Jesus' family tree, there are sinners, prostitutes, murderers, adulterers, and foreigners. Yet where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more (Rm 5:20). God had a plan for Jesus' family tree, "a plan which included us" (Heb 11:40).
When "the Word became flesh" (Jn 1:14), He bore the burden of all our human dysfunction – sin, weakness, mortality, betrayal, human foibles, pettiness, and so much more. He also experienced joy, family love, compassion, peace, blessing, justice, nobility, love, and happiness. He took on boredom, anonymity, and a human family with a broken foundation. Jesus became a "Repairer of the breach…Restorer of ruined homesteads" (Is 58:12).
Many leave the Church because they cannot stand the hypocrites, the sinners, and the scandal which they see. Jesus sees His family differently. The genealogy declares that things are no longer me and Jesus, but "we and Jesus." Jesus makes all things new (Is 43:19). Jesus can't wait to introduce His family to us. He puts His family first in the entire New Testament. If we won't love these people, how can we love God? (1 Jn 4:20)
Through Baptism, Jesus has adopted us into His family. He wants us to be a part of His family. Do you want to be a part of His family? Then come to His family meal, the Holy Eucharist.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, I am so thrilled to be a member of Your family. Give me Your heart of love for Your people, particularly those who are difficult to love. |
| PROMISE: | "The mountains shall yield peace for the people, and the hills justice." –Ps 72:3 |
| PRAISE: | "O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, You govern all creation with Your strong yet tender care." |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College