December 17th

December 17, 2022
Saturday of the 3 rd Week of Advent
Readings: Gn 49:2, 8-10/Mt 1:1-17
Ethan Bollinger: Junior
For our reflection today, one of the readings is Genesis 49:2,8-10, and it tells us
that Jacob was on his deathbed and knowing this, he is making his last wish and he
is dedicating it to his family. Jacob created a poem, which is the longest poem in
Genesis. Today's reading has a part of the poem in it, and it is directed to the tribe
that bears the name Judah. Later, in the reading, it talks about the lion cub, and this
is a significant symbol, when people are called or referred to as a lion cub, they get
the features of being powerful, strong, and courageous. Then later in the bible, he
will be seen as a lion. Jesus himself is called the Lion of Judah, which is an
important thing to know, since Jesus is the person who died for us and saved us
from our sins, he is powerful and strong, and he has no fear. Jesus Christ is the
Messiah, and he is the scepter, and he rightfully has the ruling power. This first
reading it is telling us that Jacob made his poem for the tribe of Judah, and that
Jesus is the scepter and the all-powerful and strong person, he is the person who
saves us from our sins and leads us closer to God. 
The second reading for today is from Mathew 1:1-17 and it starts by talking about
Jesus' lineage. The list starts with Abraham and then it continues down the line
until it gets to Jesus. Some of the names that we read we know, and then some of
the names we don't know too much. The Tribe of Judah was also mentioned in the
Gospel to show us that Jesus descended from that Tribe. This also shows us that
we all have a generation, and there is someone before us until we get to Adam and
Eve. Our families shape us into the people that we will become, they are the ones
that help us know right from wrong. An example of this is Jesus and his family, his
parents Mary and Joseph teach Jesus many things especially they teach him about
the family, and they teach him about how we need to love one another, and then
how prayer is needed in a person's life. This Gospel reading is telling us that we
need to learn to from our parents and our family, and we need to know that they
love us and care for us and want the best for us. We need to reflect today and see
what all our families have done for us, and everything that they must have done to
help us grow as a person.