Reflect
Whenever I hear that reading in Mass—the one listing the many ancestors of Christ—it often becomes rhythmic to my ears. Five spots, however, punctuate that soothing rhythm with women’s names inserted. Mary—it’s easy to understand her inclusion. But we also have Tamar (the castaway widow), Rahab (the prostitute), Ruth (the destitute foreigner), and Bathsheba (the wife of Uriah, then King David). Why do you suppose Matthew included these four intriguing women in Jesus’ genealogy?
Pray
Dear God,
Although Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary
had their divergent circumstances,
You connected them all to the birth of Jesus.
Please make my difficulties and scribbly lines in life
work for your glory too!
Let these women remind me that life has many bumps, twists, and turns.
Amen.
Act
Review Matthew 1:3, 5, 6, and 16 (and the in-between verses if desired). If inspired, look up the corresponding verses (they should be listed nearby) to review the stories of these women. Ponder: How have any challenging paths in your life turned into blessings later on?
