1st Reading:
Rom 8:28-30 -
28. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.
29. For those whom he foreknow he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Psalm:
Ps: 13:6AB, 6C - In delight I rejoice in the Lord.
6A. But I have trusted in Thy mercy. My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation:
6B. I will sing to the Lord, who giveth me good things:
6C. Yea I will sing to the name of the Lord the most high.
Gospel:
Mt. 1:1-16, 18-23*
This is the account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham.
Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (their mother was Tamar), Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron of Aram...
Salmon was the father of Boaz. His mother was Rahab. Boaz was the father of Obed, His mother was Ruth. Obed was the father of Jesse.
Jesse the father of David the king. David was the father of Solomon. His mother had been Uriah's wife...
Eliud was the the father of Eleazar, Eleazar of Matthan, and Matthan of Jacob.
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and from Her came Jesus who is called the Christ - the Messiah.
This is how Jesus Christ was born: Mary His mother had been given to Joseph in marriage, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Then Joseph, husband , made plans to divorce her in all secrecy...
while he was pondering over this, an angel of the the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said " Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She has conceived by the Holy Spirit, and now she will bear a son. You shall call Him 'Jesus' for He will save His people from their sins"...
REFLECTION
Today's first reading begins with these words of the apostle Paul: "In everything God works for the good of those who love Him." Now there are two ways one can understand the words "God works." One of these is wrong, the other is right.
The wrong one goes like this God in heaven is like a Super Puppeteer and we, humans are his puppets. And from heaven God pulls the strings, manipulating people and events. As Paul says, he works in such a way that, if we pray enough and trust Him enough, everything will conspire to make our life easy and painless. If this does not happen, it is because we have not trusted Him enough. A lot of Christians believe this scenario, although blunt reality contradicts it at every turn.
The right way of understanding "Gods works" goes like this. God respects human freedom completely and lets events happen (including natural disasters, wars, famines, etc,.). But He works in people, inspiring them to act in this way or that way, to seek him in all circumstances good bad. If humans follow His gentle promptings, they will grow in holiness, whatever their outward circumstances. Reality confirms this. Saints are not magically protected from toothaches. But, instead of cursing, they find God in their toothaches.
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