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Matthew chose to begin his Gospel with the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Many parishes omit these lines in favor of the short form, choosing only to read later verses showing how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. Yet, blessed are those who listen to (and read aloud) the litany of names proclaiming all twenty-eight generations connecting Abraham to Jesus. 

While the Old Testament chronicles the generational brokenness and sin found in God’s followers across the centuries, Matthew’s genealogy reveals an unbroken chain of men and women used by God to fulfill His promise of salvation. Early Christians would understand this pattern of faithful men and women persevering through sin and failure, continuing to serve God as they wait in hope for the Messiah to come. 

Genealogy continues to grow in popularity today, as many people wonder where they came from, who their ancestors are, and where they belong in life. When we belong to Christ, we are God’s people, and this genealogy becomes part of our spiritual ancestry. We trust that whatever brokenness lies in our past, God uses it for His glory in our lives today. God is with us in Christ Jesus, and through Him we are fully known, loved, and redeemed. 

I invite you to reflect on the origin and development of your own family. How did you come to Christ, and where do you see Him at work today? 

God, we struggle with so much brokenness in our past, but we praise Your faithfulness and Your promise that through Your Son, Jesus, we are redeemed.

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Mateo decidió comenzar su Evangelio con la genealogía de Jesucristo. Muchas parroquias omiten estos pasajes en favor de la forma abreviada, optando únicamente por leer los versículos posteriores que relatan cómo se produjo el nacimiento de Jesucristo. Sin embargo, bienaventurados aquellos que escuchan (y leen en voz alta) la letanía de nombres que proclama las veintiocho generaciones que conectan a Abraham con Jesús.

Mientras el Antiguo Testamento relata la fragilidad generacional y el pecado presentes en los seguidores de Dios a lo largo de los siglos, la genealogía de Mateo revela una cadena ininterrumpida de hombres y mujeres que fueron instrumentos de Dios para cumplir Su promesa de salvación. Los primeros cristianos comprendían este patrón de hombres y mujeres fieles que perseveraron a pesar del pecado y el fracaso, continuando en el servicio de Dios mientras aguardaban con esperanza la venida del Mesías.

La genealogía sigue ganando popularidad hoy en día, ya que muchas personas se preguntan de dónde provienen, quiénes son sus antepasados ​​y cuál es su lugar en la vida. Cuando pertenecemos a Cristo, somos el pueblo de Dios, y esta genealogía pasa a formar parte de nuestra ascendencia espiritual. Confiamos en que, cualquiera que sea la fragilidad que haya en nuestro pasado, Dios la utiliza para Su gloria en nuestras vidas hoy. Dios está con nosotros en Cristo Jesús, y a través de Él somos plenamente conocidos, amados y redimidos.

Te invito a reflexionar sobre el origen y el desarrollo de tu propia familia. ¿Cómo llegaste a Cristo y dónde ves que Él está obrando hoy?

Dios, luchamos con tanta fragilidad en nuestro pasado, pero alabamos Tu fidelidad y Tu promesa de que, a través de Tu Hijo Jesús, somos redimidos.

Comunicarse con la autora

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Shelly Henley Kelly is a wife, mother of three, and native Texan who writes and records a podcast with her sister called Of Sound Mind and Spirit and is a regular contributor to Catholic Mom. When not writing or recording, Shelly can be found volunteering as a Youth Ministry Catechist, keeping the scorebook at her son’s baseball games, diving deep into historical research, or hiding with a good book in between games.

Feature Image Credit: Lucas George Wendt, pexels.com/photo/trees-with-many-branches-6527689/

The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.