Advent Weekday on December 17

Daily Mass Readings for an Advent Weekday on December 17

First Reading – Genesis 49:2, 8-10: Jacob blesses Judah, saying he will be praised by his brothers, victorious over enemies, and a ruler over others, with the obedience of nations.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 72: Justice will flourish in his time, and peace will last forever. He will defend the poor, rule over all the earth, and his name will be blessed by all nations.

Gospel – Matthew 1:1-17: The genealogy of Jesus traces his lineage from Abraham to David, through the Babylonian exile, and finally to Joseph, Mary’s husband. This spans three sets of fourteen generations, linking Jesus to Israel’s history.

Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
Matthew 1:16

Themes for the Readings for an Advent Weekday on December 17

On an Advent weekday on December 17, the readings from Genesis 49:2, 8-10 and Matthew 1:1-17 guide our thoughts. These passages help us reflect on the coming of Christ through His lineage and promises made to His people.

Jesus as King: Genesis speaks of Judah, the tribe from which kings will come. This points to Jesus, the promised King, who will reign forever.

God’s Faithfulness: The long genealogy in Matthew shows God’s faithfulness through generations. He kept His promise to send the Messiah.
Hope of Salvation: The blessing on Judah in Genesis looks ahead to the Savior. Jesus is the hope for all people, fulfilling this ancient promise.
Jesus’ Human Roots: Matthew lists many ancestors, showing Jesus’ human family tree. Jesus shares in our humanity, while also being the Son of God.

God’s Plan in History: Both readings show God working through history to bring salvation. Even when things seem slow, God’s plan is always moving forward.
Jesus is the Fulfillment: Both the prophecy in Genesis and the genealogy in Matthew point to Jesus. He is the fulfillment of God’s promises to His people.

These themes remind us of God’s love and commitment to His people. As we continue in Advent, we wait with hope, knowing God’s promises are true.

Reflection for an Advent Weekday on December 17

The Advent weekday on December 17 offers us an opportunity to reflect on God’s promises and His faithful plan for salvation. The readings from Genesis and Matthew remind us of Jesus’ place in history, His connection to humanity, and how God’s plan has been unfolding for generations. As we reflect, we deepen our understanding of Jesus as the promised Savior.

Jesus, the Fulfillment of God’s Promise

On the Advent weekday on December 17, we reflect on the blessing given to Judah in Genesis. The promise that a ruler would come from his family points ahead to Jesus, who is the fulfillment of this blessing. Jesus is the long-awaited Savior who brings hope to all people, fulfilling what was spoken long ago.

This promise shows us that God never forgets His people. Even when centuries passed, God’s plan was still in place, leading to Jesus. The blessing on Judah reminds us that God’s promises are reliable, and they are fulfilled in the perfect time.

As we wait for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, we can hold onto this hope. Advent teaches us to trust in God’s timing and His promises. Like Judah’s family, we are part of this story, called to receive and share the hope that Jesus brings.

Jesus: Fully Human, Fully God

The genealogy in Matthew, which we hear on the Advent weekday on December 17, gives us a picture of Jesus’ human family tree. Matthew lists many ancestors, showing us that Jesus shares in our humanity. He had a mother, a father, and a long line of relatives, just like us.

This reminds us that Jesus understands what it means to be human. He knows our struggles, joys, and challenges. But at the same time, He is the Son of God, sent to save us. He bridges the gap between humanity and God, offering us the chance to know God more fully.

In Advent, we remember that Jesus came into the world as one of us. He chose to enter our world to bring us back to God. As we look forward to celebrating His birth, we are reminded that Jesus shares our lives in every way, while also being the Savior we need.

God’s Plan is Always Moving Forward

The readings for the Advent weekday on December 17 show that God works through history to bring about salvation. The blessing on Judah and the long genealogy in Matthew both point to God’s plan, which is always moving forward. Even when things seem slow, God is still at work.

We often want things to happen quickly, but God’s timing is different. The list of names in Matthew reminds us that God took many generations to bring Jesus into the world. Each person had a role in His plan, and eventually, the Savior came as promised.

In our lives, it may feel like things are not happening as we want. But just as God worked through history to bring about Jesus’ birth, He is also working in our lives. Advent calls us to trust in God’s timing and be patient, knowing that His plan is always good.

The reflections for an Advent weekday on December 17 lead us to trust in God’s ongoing work in our lives. Through the promise to Judah, the family tree of Jesus, and the slow unfolding of God’s plan, we are reminded that God is always faithful. As we await the coming of Jesus, we place our hope in Him.

Prayer

Lord, help us to trust in Your promises. Guide us as we wait for Jesus, just as Your people waited for their Savior. Teach us to be patient and faithful, knowing that You are always at work. May we prepare our hearts to receive Jesus with hope and joy. Amen.

Reflection Questions

How does the promise to Judah help you understand Jesus as the Savior?
In what ways can the genealogy of Jesus help you see Him as fully human?
What does the slow unfolding of God’s plan teach you about patience and trust in your own life?

How can you apply the message of Advent Weekday on December 17 to your own waiting for God’s promises?

Homilies and Commentaries for an Advent Weekday on December 17

Word on Fire: God Works Through Imperfect People

For an Advent Weekday on December 17, Bishop Robert Barron reflects on the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel. This lineage, filled with saints and sinners, shows that Jesus comes from a long history of flawed yet significant individuals. Figures like King David, who was both a great leader and a sinner, remind us of the mix of grace and imperfection in human life.

The Incarnation reveals that God enters fully into our messy humanity. From this diverse family, God brought forth Christ, showing that he works through ordinary, broken people. This gives us hope that God can work in us too.

USCCB: Finding Completeness in Christ

For an Advent Weekday on December 17, Deacon Arthur Miller reflects on the genealogy of Jesus from Matthew’s Gospel, showing that Christ is the fulfillment of perfect completeness. The Jewish tradition of 14 generations symbolizes this completeness, which Jesus brings into our imperfect, broken lives. Deacon Miller encourages us to seek completeness in our relationship with Christ, who frees us through his suffering and invites us to grow in forgiveness, love, and kindness.

During Advent, we prepare for this completeness by recognizing the storms within us, such as jealousy, anger, and envy. Through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, we are nourished and strengthened to embody God’s love in our lives. While perfection may not be fully realized until we meet God, the pursuit of completeness is our mission, bringing calm and Christ’s love to the world.

Order of Preachers: Generations

For an Advent Weekday on December 17, Fr. Scott Steinkerchner reflects on the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel. This list of names, filled with twists and imperfect characters, shows how God works through messy situations and flawed people to fulfill His plan. The genealogy highlights the long history of God’s guidance, even amidst human failures like David’s actions with Bathsheba.

Fr. Steinkerchner points out the significance of Jesus arriving in the 13th generation rather than the expected 14th, suggesting God acted at the right time rather than waiting for perfection. He encourages us to trust that God works with our imperfections to move His story forward for future generations.

A Figment of Christian Imagination?

For an Advent Weekday on December 17, Matthew Kelly reflects on Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus. Though the list of names may seem tedious, it serves a vital purpose. It establishes Jesus as a real person, living in a specific time and place, with a heritage tracing back to Abraham and David. The genealogy reassures people of faith that Jesus is not a figment of imagination but someone deeply rooted in history.

Kelly compares this to proving the authenticity of an artwork through its provenance. The genealogy invites believers to strengthen their faith and encourages those with doubts to explore who Jesus really is, both as man and God.

Word on Fire: God Meets Us in Our Brokenness

For an Advent Weekday on December 17, Bishop Robert Barron reflects on Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew’s Gospel. This lineage spans forty-two generations, filled with both the virtuous and the flawed. It shows that Jesus entered into the messy reality of human life, embracing a family marked by imperfection.

Two figures stand out: Ruth, a foreigner, reminds us that outsiders are fully welcomed by God. Rahab, a prostitute, reveals that even those weighed down by sin are part of Christ’s family. The good news of Christmas is that God enters our brokenness and makes us his own.

USCCB Reflection: God’s Plan Unfolds Through Humble People

In a USCCB video reflection for an Advent weekday on December 17, Dr. Mark Delmonico reflects on how the readings remind us of God’s plan for salvation. He highlights the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew, which includes both righteous and flawed people, showing that God works through the humble and unexpected.

The blessing of Judah and the inclusion of various figures, like Ruth and Rahab, emphasize that God favors the least likely. Dr. Delmonico encourages us to cooperate with God’s plan and recognize His work in our own lives and history.

Questions and Answers for an Advent Weekday on December 17

What are the Mass readings for an Advent Weekday on December 17?

The Mass readings for an Advent Weekday on December 17 are:
First Reading – Genesis 49:2, 8-10: Jacob’s Blessing to Judah
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 72: Justice and Peace Will Flourish
Gospel – Matthew 1:1-17: The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

What message can we take from Genesis on an Advent weekday on December 17?

The message from Genesis is that God promised a King to save His people. This promise is fulfilled in Jesus, who we look forward to in Advent.

What does the blessing of Judah in Genesis mean?

The blessing of Judah points to the future King who will come from his family line. Jesus is that King, and this reminds us to prepare our hearts for His coming.

Why is the genealogy of Jesus important in the Gospel for an Advent weekday on December 17?

The genealogy shows that Jesus came from a long line of people, fulfilling God’s promises through history. It helps us see that God has a plan and Jesus is part of that plan.

How does the long list of names in Matthew relate to us?

The long list shows that Jesus had a human family, like all of us. It reminds us that God works through ordinary people and history to bring about His plan.

Why should we care about the family history of Jesus?

Jesus’ family history reminds us that God keeps His promises. It helps us trust that God is working in our lives too, even when we don’t see it right away.

What does the genealogy tell us about God’s faithfulness?

The genealogy shows us that God stayed faithful to His promises over many generations. It encourages us to trust in God’s faithfulness in our own lives.

How can we apply these readings for an Advent weekday on December 17 to our lives?

We can apply these readings by remembering that God is always working, even through long periods of waiting. We can trust that God’s promises will come true in our own lives, just as they did with Jesus.

How does the theme of waiting in Advent connect with the readings for an Advent weekday on December 17?

In the genealogy, we see how long people waited for the Messiah. In Advent, we join in that waiting, looking forward to Jesus’ coming with hope.