NOT ASHAMED

“The scepter shall never depart from Judah.” —Genesis 49:10

God works through people — lots of them. Today’s readings make this clear. The line of Jesus the Messiah is traced through the tribe of Judah (Gn 49:8ff), and the Gospel genealogy traces the lineage. Despite the sinfulness and shame of the descendants of Judah, the Divine Physician entered this family lineage to redeem the sinful and heal the sick (see Mk 2:17).

The genealogy shows that God truly became man. Jesus is one of us. He lived among us (Jn 1:14). He has redeemed the human family tree. “He is not ashamed to call [us] brothers” and sisters (Heb 2:11). Jesus loves us and the Father loves us (Jn 3:16). Jesus is so unashamed of the human race that the first Gospel begins with the human ancestry of Jesus the Messiah (Mt 1:1-17).

Let us say with St. Paul, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel” (Rm 1:16). Jesus said: “If a man is ashamed of Me and My doctrine, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory” (Lk 9:26). Therefore, ask God to heal you of any shame you might have from being associated publicly with those who follow Jesus.

Prayer: Father, human beings do so many sinful things. Give me Your heart for sinful humanity so that I may see and love Your people as You do (1 Jn 4:20).

Promise: “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.”