ALL IN THE FAMILY
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” – Mt. 1:1
A month ago while assisting with a retreat, one of the reflection questions was: When I introduce myself to others, how much do I communicate that I’m a beloved child of God?
That question stopped me in my tracks. I’d been struggling with letting people’s moods and reactions have power over me and how I think about myself, how I let them define me. Reflecting on this question with others on the retreat helped me feel more deeply the truth of my core identity as a beloved child of God. And I could see this belovedness revealed in the retreatants.
The day after the retreat ended, I went with a few other Jesuits to one of my favorite places. Yes, I went to Disneyland. As soon as I arrived—with grace bubbling from the retreat—I began to have the feeling of being connected to everyone there, even though we didn’t know each other at all! From the person who scanned my ticket with a welcome smile, to the cashier at dinner who looked exhausted and could be honest with me about that after I asked how she was doing, to the kids in line making goofy faces with contagious laughter. I felt deeply the truth of their belovedness. The truth that we’re all carrying something, some pain, struggle, or regret, but at the core we’re all beloved children of God. We’re all connected as members of God’s family, no matter what. And this truth spans across time and distance.
Advent is a time to grow in appreciation for those who have been a part of God’s family, who made Christ’s coming possible for us in the story of salvation. That’s why Jesus’ genealogy in today’s gospel is so important. God entered history. God became human to journey more closely with us, with God’s family. In the joys and in the messiness. God makes history with all of us, God’s beloved children.
Have I been surprised by the joy of genuine connection? How so?
God of history, help me to feel more deeply the truth of my belovedness, to behold it in others, and so encounter my belonging to your family now and across the generations.
David Romero, SJ