Genesis 49: 2, 8-10
Jacob called his sons and said to them: "Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob, listen to Israel, your father.
"You, Judah, shall your brothers praise - your hand on the neck of your enemies;
the sons of your father shall bow down to you. Judah, like a lion's whelp, you have grown up on prey, my son. He crouches like a lion recumbent, the king of beasts – who would dare rouse him? The scepter shall never depart from Judah, or the mace from between his legs, While tribute is brought to him, and he receives the people's homage."
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for those who have fallen away from The Church, that they are invited to share in the richness and beauty of Our Faith this Advent and Christmas season.
In The Church, the readings shift to a chronological countdown to Christmas, starting with today, December 17th.
Seeing that today is the first in the countdown, I was puzzled at the first reading. So, I sought professional help. Here's the footnote for Genesis 49:10 in the New American Bible:
While tribute is brought to him: this translation is based on a slight change in the Hebrew text, which, as it stands, would seem to mean, "until he comes to Shiloh." A somewhat different reading of the Hebrew text would be, "until he comes to whom it belongs." This last has been traditionally understood in a Messianic sense. In any case, the passage foretells the supremacy of the tribe of Judah, which found its fulfillment in the Davidic dynasty and ultimately in the Messianic Son of David, Jesus Christ.
The Savior has been born unto us; assemble and listen! All people shall bow down to The One who the prophets point to, and give homage to The One who will bring all things to fulfillment. Lay down all that troubles you and give homage to Him. Lay down all that you find pleasure in and find your joy in Him. Lay down all that keeps you from Him and let us all adore Him: Christ the Lord. Take care and God Bless.
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