for September 8
Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Years ago, one of my uncles conducted detailed research on my family tree. The results were fascinating. We learned that that two groups (clans) of my family were centered in the both the New York and Boston areas. A good number went on to be lawyers and some became judges. Interestingly, my last name is apparently connected to the Arabic language and closely similar to the name of a well-known school of thought in Islamic law. My uncle’s family tree research also revealed a distant family connection to Islam. When I meet Muslims, they are astonished by my last name and they always have many questions. We also learned that that one of my perhaps more colorful and energetic ancestors served and fought closely with General George Custer at Little Big Horn. The family tree research revealed that he shared the same fate of General Custer at that infamous battle in Montana—a state I have not yet visited.

Matthew’s Gospel today also presents a family tree or a “genealogy” of Jesus. This passage comes at the opening of this gospel and the evangelist seeks to situate Jesus within the history of Israel and traces Jesus’ birth to Mary and Joseph back to King David and Abraham—the father of Israel. Some of the likely Old Testament sources for this passage in Matthew may be Chronicles and Ruth (1Chronicles 2-3; Ruth 4:18-22). It is important for this gospel to understand Jesus in the royal line of King David and to link him back to Israel and to Abraham. The Gospel makes clear that Jesus is the son of David and that he was born to Mary and Joseph at the right moment of history. Family trees are about connections and relationships and they establish identity. The evangelist is doing this at the beginning of the gospel.

Matthew’s genealogy may invite us to consider how we are all personally grounded in the past but also living our lives now in the present. We are also moving out into the future. We are reminded of the passing of time and our desires and hopes for the present and the future. A genealogy and Matthew’s Gospel today may also encourage us to consider how deeply connected we are to each other. I am reminded often about how the decisions and choices we make now really do affect the lives of others now and into the future. Recently, I have been thinking about how grateful I am for the lives of my own parents and grandparents. They made important life decisions and lived in particular ways that have contributed positively and generously to my family in the present. I find a desire to do the same myself. As followers of Jesus deep down I believe that we all ultimately want to help those with us now and contribute positively to future generations who come after us. The stories of Jesus in the gospels make clear that this is how Jesus lived. He always sought to help those in need and he taught by the example and ministry of his life. I cannot help but think that Mary and Joseph modeled so much for Jesus as he grew up. All parents do this for their children. As Jesus’s followers we are to do the same with others in the world now.   

Matthew’s Gospel and today’s feast of the Nativity of Mary that we celebrate also remind us of the vast and beautiful circle of life. For us, the season is now changing as Autumn and the harvest time soon arrives. The light is changing, the views of the moon are new and bright, and welcome cooler air is descending upon us. It may be a perfect time for us to take stock of where we have been and where are going. In our Christian faith we are intimately connected by the Spirit to the lives of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. The Gospel always calls us to deepen and grow in our ongoing relationship with Jesus and to live more and more like he did as we share his Good News with others each day.
—Francis T. Hannafey SJ

Today’s readings can be found on the US Conference of Catholic Bishops website.