December 17 2018 - Jesus, Wisdom of God

December 17 begins what is called “Deep Advent” or “Late Advent”.  We hear on this first Deep Advent Day from the Gospel of Matthew, the genealogy of Jesus, tracing Jesus’ family tree all the way back to Abraham, who the first Eucharistic prayer calls “our father in faith”

St. Matthew the apostle, the Jewish tax collector, wanted to show the Jewish people of his day how Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promises to the Jewish nation and the prophecies of the Old Testament. So Matthew, carefully derives the genealogy of Jesus through 42 generations, to show that Jesus is the true Messiah, promised by God to Abraham, to save the human race. Jesus is the fulfillment of their deepest hopes.


During Deep Advent the Church also sings the ancient O Antiphons both in her official evening prayer and also during the Gospel Acclamation at Mass. Today we sung of the Sapientia, the wisdom, that comes from the mouth of God, by which we are to order our life.

Nearly every culture of human history has had some sense of wisdom which helps us to judge right from wrong and to lead a good life. St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, “Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom” (1 Cor 1:22) well, Jesus is the sign of God’s providence, He is the wisdom that comes from God, He is our righteousness, our holiness, our redemption (I Cor 1:30). We are saved by wisdom, because Jesus is the Wisdom of God,  the Word spoken by God, who teaches us to live an ordered and prudent life on earth, that we may come to eternal life.

How different would our world, our city, and our families be, if more men and women, (Christians too), allowed themselves to be guided and taught and saved by the wisdom that comes from God. We long for peace, we long for justice, but these things are only attainable by learning and practicing and making room in our minds and hearts for the Wisdom who is Jesus Christ. For the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We raise up our prayers of petitions, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.

That the witness of the Church may help all nations come to believe in the Lordship of Jesus.

That our president and all civil servants will carry out their duties with divine wisdom, justice, honesty, and respect for the dignity of every human life.  We pray to the Lord.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life and a strengthening of all marriages in holiness.

That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, ward off every affliction, and strengthen all who suffer persecution for the sake of the Gospel.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.