Christ Jesus, by your mercy redeem our family tree...

Matthew 1:1-17

In Jesus’ day the Torah, coupled with oral history, reminded his people of their lineage and ‘family trees’. Without a doubt Jesus would have been aware of the sins of his ancestors – and of the resulting repentance, faithfulness and trust in God of those who chose to be open and obedient to God’s will.  By the ultimate openness and obedience to God’s wisdom and will, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and her husband Joseph became the parents of Jesus, the Son of God made man who not only redeemed their lineage from its propensity to sin, but also redeemed and redeems all who believe in him – no matter what sins their ancestors committed.  How does my family tree need healing? Christ Jesus, by your mercy redeem our family tree.    
 
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall enter his holy place?  Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false.    (Psalm 24:3,4)

 Christ does not force our will. He takes only what we give him.   
St. Teresa of Avila       
        
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Soli gloriam dei.