Matthew 1:1-7 NRSVue
1An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, 4and Aram the father of Aminadab, and Aminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6and Jesse the father of King David.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah,
7and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph,,
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Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
This litany of names deserves to be read reverently, as all names do. I think of the lists that can easily dehumanise and pray that the dignity and experience of each person be respected. I consider that a life’s story lies behind each name that I see today.
Reflection
Matthew took care to situate Jesus’ life in the sequence of his ancestors. I think of how my life and faith depend on so many others about whom I know so little. I pray for them with thanks.