Fr. Mike’s Homily for Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent

Fr. Mike’s Homily for Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent

Simbang Gabi – Day 02

December 17, 2020

Mt 1:1–17

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron… Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.

On the second day of the ‘Simbang Gabi’, we hear the beginning of the Gospel of St. Matthew. Perhaps some of us may find this passage boring and dull. We may even wonder why Matthew presents this long list of names, many of which are unfamiliar and of little meaning to us. However, this list illustrates some significant truths about the Mystery of the Incarnation.

First, this is the concrete proof that Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of God, entered human history. He is not a myth or a legend. He is a historical reality. He was born into the human family as evidenced by the long list of ancestors. He is, indeed, true man.

Second, God is true to His promise. At the Fall of Man, God has already promised to send a Savior. After thousands of years, at the appointed time, He sent His own Son. One thing is sure: God never forgets His promise, no matter how many years have already passed.

Third, this list illustrates the infinite patience of God. He waited for many generations – three sets of fourteen generations starting with Abraham. There is always the ‘appointed’ time for everything, according to His divine plan. And in His unfathomable wisdom, He knows exactly when that time is. And He waits – with patience and hope.

Fourth, the list includes a wide variety of people – saints and sinners, men and women, well-known and unknown. The Gospel makes no effort to “sanitize” it, precisely in order to highlight the universal love and mercy of God. He welcomes all people into His family. This list clearly shows that Jesus identifies Himself with the imperfect and sinful humanity. After all, as He solemnly declared: “I have come to call sinners, not the self-righteous.”

And finally, God uses human instruments, no matter how unworthy and imperfect they are. St. Paul accurately points this out: “God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world…so that no human being might boast before God” (1Cor 1:27-29).

The Gospel today consists of names, and nothing more. But in truth, it contains so much more. It gives us the greatest story ever told: God loves us all that He sent His only-begotten Son, who became human like us and lived among us, so that we may enjoy the fullness of life as His beloved children.

Fr. Mike Lagrimas

St. Michael the Archangel Parish

Diocese of Novaliches