Aguinaldo 2022 Day 2

Stewardship as a Way of Life

WORD

Genesis 49: 2, 8-10

Ps. 72:3-4,7-8,17

Mt. 1:1-17

“Jacob called his sons and said to them: “Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob, listen to Israel, your father.”

(From the First Reading)

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”

(From the Gospel)

OBSERVE

1. The genealogy of Matthew tells us about the ancestors of Jesus, his forefathers and foremothers. It is considered the high point of this genealogy is David.

From David, down the generations, it was a journey downhill which culminated in the Babylonian Exile.

However, God’s providential love ensures that he will not abandon his people. Thus, from decline to the real high point in this genealogy who is Jesus.

2. Notable among the names of these men and women in the Bible are Abraham, Jacob, and David who were considered as leaders or “fathers” of the people.

Abraham was the “Father of the Faith,” Jacob as the “Father of the Twelve Tribes,” and David as the “Father of the Kingdom.”

3. Abraham was chosen by God to leave behind his father’s land to go to the land that God will show him.

Jacob left his father’s house to work among the Gentiles, while David left his father to become the King.

These men left land, relatives and home in response to God’s call. They left behind the securities that familiar territories and relations can give.

4. Despite their weaknesses and failures, the grace of God sustained them in their mission.

As Jacob would remind his sons, “listen to your father,” the wisdom of the elders and those chosen by God are sure and certain guide for our lives.

5. Common among these men of faith is that they “listened” to God. Abraham, Jacob and David listened to God. “Listening” leads to action.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father,

you have called men and women

to follow you on a path that is unknown and unfamiliar.

Abraham, Jacob and David left the places,

people and practices they are familiar and comfortable.

Amidst the uncertainties of a new life,

their faith moved them to rely on your providence.

In this way, they became real leaders of the faith.

Amen.

DISCERN

1. The call of Abraham, Jacob and David demands a new way of life, a new culture. As baptized believers, our lives are supposed to be founded on an encounter with God, not as a sociological or managerial project but a response to a call of faith.

2. Stewardship is an invitation to a new of living and a new of being community united by a desire to live the Gospel values of common life and sharing of goods.

It draws us out of our attention from ourselves to others. It seeks to unite us in both our vision and mission, instead of being divided due to politics or careerism.