A reading from the gospel according to Matthew 1:1-17

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2 Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
3 Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,
4 Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse,
6 Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.
7 Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asaph.
8 Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,
Joram the father of Uzziah.
9 Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
10 Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah.
11 Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.
12 After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
13 Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor,
14 Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud,
15 Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob,
16 Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
17 Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.

Reflection:
1. Matthew started his gospel by enumerating the forefathers of Jesus because his primarily audience were the Jewish people. For them, genealogy is very important. At once, the gospel shows Jesus as the son of David and Abraham. Therefore, Jesus has the right to be the heir of the throne of King David.
2. Five women are included in the genealogy and four of them have uninspiring background. In fact, three of them are guilty of sexual immorality.

Go here to read reflection on the women in the genealogy of Jesus.

3. God really works not as humans do. He chose Abraham, a nomad and not a powerful king, to become the father of His chosen people. He chose Jacob, not Esau the elder son. He chose David, the youngest son and not Reuben the eldest.
4. God keeps His promises. He promised a savior and fulfilled it. Let us trust in Him.
5. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises. He alone is the hope for the redemption of mankind.

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The opening chapter of the Gospel of Matthew may seem like an unusual place to find inspiration. A genealogy, after all, might appear to be a simple list of names. However, Matthew 1:1-17 reveals a powerful story of God’s faithfulness, grace, and redemption. Through this lineage, we see how God works through flawed individuals to accomplish His perfect plan and bring salvation to the world.

This passage traces the ancestry of Jesus Christ, connecting Him to key figures like Abraham and King David. For the Jewish audience of Matthew’s time, this was essential—it established Jesus as the promised Messiah, the fulfillment of God’s covenant with Israel. But beyond its historical and theological significance, this genealogy speaks to us today about the inclusiveness of God’s grace and His ability to use ordinary people for extraordinary purposes.

Among the names listed, we find stories of brokenness and redemption. Tamar, who tricked Judah into fulfilling his obligations, and Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, are unlikely heroines of faith. Ruth, a Moabite widow, demonstrates loyalty and courage. Bathsheba, who suffered great scandal, is remembered as the mother of Solomon. These women, and many others in this lineage, remind us that God’s love and plans transcend human failures and social barriers.

The inclusion of Gentiles and sinners in Jesus’ family tree illustrates that God’s kingdom is for everyone, not just the righteous or privileged. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), and His genealogy underscores this mission. No matter our background, mistakes, or struggles, God invites us to be part of His story.

The mention of exile in verse 12 highlights another truth: even in times of despair and separation, God’s promises endure. The Israelites faced judgment and captivity, yet God’s plan for their redemption continued. The lineage leads us to Jesus, the ultimate deliverer, showing that our setbacks and suffering can be stepping stones in His redemptive work.

What does this mean for us today? It reminds us that God sees beyond our failures and uses all things for good (Romans 8:28). We don’t need to be perfect to be part of His plan. Instead, we are called to trust Him, surrender our lives, and allow Him to work through us.

This genealogy also challenges us to reflect on the legacy we are leaving. Just as the names in Matthew 1 represent generations of faith and perseverance, our choices today shape the future for those who come after us. Are we living in a way that points others to Christ and His saving grace?

In the end, the genealogy in Matthew 1 is not just a list of names; it is a testimony to God’s unwavering faithfulness. It proclaims that no story is beyond redemption and that through Jesus, we all have a place in God’s family. Embrace the hope found in this lineage of grace, and trust that God’s plan for your life is unfolding in His perfect time.