Breaking the Word

3^rd week of Advent, Saturday – 17^th December 2022 — Gospel: Mt 1,1-17

Knowing God’s Gracious Plan

Man was born for greatness: He was created in the image and likeness of God. The collection of names in Matthew’s genealogy is arranged in three groups to make a statement about human history. Firstly, Abraham, through his obedience, deepened the covenant with God. Man was born and raised up to be a king. Secondly, Man turned out to be a tyrant. He abused the freedom God had given him, defying, disobeying and turning his back on his Creator. With tears in his eyes, the Father watched his prodigal son depart into exile. Thirdly, God, however, did not write human history to end in tragedy. He sent his Son into the world to help man regain his greatness: to raise him up to greater heights, to become sons of God. History is not a road leading nowhere; its goal is for us to be in heaven with God. So, it’s not enough for us to know our origin is in love of God, the Father and our salvation is in Jesus Christ. We need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in bringing God’s gracious plan into action.

3^rd Week of Advent, Friday – 16^th December 2022 — Gospel:  Jn 5,33-36

Greater Testimony

The text of today invites us to ask ourselves who Jesus is for us. He is the one sent from God and always seeks to do God’s will. Jesus continuously acknowledges that love for his Father is the driving force in his life. He comes to reveal his Father to us, and in so doing he announces and procures our eternal adoption as the Father’s children.  Thus, Jesus draws people to God by giving them a new, transformed identity. During his earthly sojourn, through miracles and works, i.e., his whole ministry, Jesus bore witness to God, the Father. This ministry he received directly from God and this was a greater testimony to his person and mission than John could ever be. God bears witness to who Jesus is. Jesus does, and completes, the works of God.