(Please read the Scripture passage before reading the homily.)
We tend to read into our pasts things from our present and hopes for our future. We are not totally chronical in our thinking. Jacob addresses his sons in this reading. The setting is the death bed of Jacob. The reality is probably many years later. King David came from the tribe of Judah. Jesus came from the line of Judah. The reading reflects somewhat on the reality of Judah’s position in the history of the Israelites and his prominence in the histories and prophecies of the Jewish people. Jacob also has prophetic things to say about each of his other eleven sons.
We tend to remember winners. For example, we seldom remember the runners-up of the World Series or of the Super Bowl. We usually forget the presidential candidates who have lost elections. If we should visit Mt Rushmore, we may leave with the idea that only four Presidents have made a lasting impression on the nation.
Although Jacob could have suspected future greatness for the tribe of Judah, he had no idea that Jesus would be born from the tribe of Judah and from King David. Matthew, chapter 1, lists a genealogy of Jesus from Abraham to Joseph (1:1-17). Matthew builds on words of Jacob.
Our genealogies tend to focus on the people we esteem more important. The genealogy of my ancestors will focus on the people important to me: I may exclude my great uncles and aunts and my cousins may exclude my parents’ inforthe importantmation.
Today, our attention is given to Judah because Jesus came from that tribe of ancient Israel. Since Jesus came to give freedom to Israel and the rest of the world. We remember the tribe of Judah, the other tribes of Israel and all the other peoples of the world because Jesus Christ belongs not just one tribe, or one people, but to the whole world.
God works in mysterious ways to orchestrate history. Our ancestors are important for us: they have prepared the world to receive us. We can thank God for people like Jacob, Judah and his relatives. We can thank God for our immediate families and for our coworkers, and comrades, and we can include them in the genealogy of the important people God has given us in this life.