, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah.Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the deportation to Babylon.After the deportation to Babylon, Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel and Salathiel of Zerubbabel.Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud, Abiud of Eliakim, and Eliakim of Azor. Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, and Akim the father of Eliud. Eliud was thefather of Eleazar, Eleazar of Matthan, and Matthan of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and from her came Jesus who is called the Christ —the Messiah. There were then fourteen generations from Abraham  to  David,  and  fourteen  generations  from  David  to  the deportation to Babylon, and fourteen generations from the deportation to Babylon to the birth of Christ.

Reflections

“from her came Jesus who is called the Christ —the Messiah.”My priesthood was also hap­ pily spent in the seminary, where I would accompany students who are preparing themselves for the priesthood. It is always a joy to see them ordained after years of their toil. It is perfect for the Church, perfect for me and other formators and perfect for the faithful.“It is perfect”  means  God has blessed them. Like the first reading which showcases the blessing of Jacob to Judah, with its joyful accolades and certain assurances. “It is perfect” means that every vocation always comes in God’s perfect time. The Gospel, portraying the triple fourteen generations tells us that God saves us in His perfect time.The season of Advent reminds that God will always save, accom­ pany and sustain us when we truly believe in His loving plan for us. With this faith, we could all the more utter “it is perfect”. © Copyright Bible Diary 2019