Readings for 17 December

Book of Genesis

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.

Psalms

O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king's son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
The mountains shall yield peace for the people,
and the hills justice.
He shall defend the afflicted among the people,
Save the children of the poor.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
May his name be blessed forever;
As long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
All the nations shall proclaim his happiness.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew

The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse,
Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.
Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph.
Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah.
Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.
After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud,
Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.
Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah, fourteen generations.

St. Josep Manyanet y Vives(Priest and Founder († 1901))

Saint Josep Manyanet y VivesPriest and Founder(1833-1901) Josep Manyanet was born into a large Christian family on January 7, 1833. He was born in the city of Tremp, Northeastern Spain, and baptized at the parish Church of our Lady of Valldeflors. When he was 5, his mother offered him to our Lady's care and protection. When Josep came of age, he completed his schooling with the Piarist Fathers in Barbastro, and at the seminaries of Lleida and Urgell. He was ordained a priest on April 9, 1859. After working in the Diocese of Urgell for 12 years as the bishop's secretary, secretary for pastoral visitations, librarian of the seminary and administrator of the chancery, Fr. Josep felt God's call to found two congregations.Founder and Apostle of the Holy Family With the bishop's approval, Fr. Josep founded the religious congregations of the Sons of the Holy Family Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1864 and 1874. Their mission is honoring, imitating and sharing the example of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Through diligent work and prayer, and an exemplary and virtuous life, Fr. Josep guided and encouraged, for almost forty years, the formation and expansion of his Institutes. Schools and centers of ministry were opened in several Spanish towns. Today, both Institutes are present in several European countries, in North and South America, and in Africa as well. Fr. Josep wrote several books and booklets to spread devotion to the Holy Family of Nazareth. He founded the magazine La Sagrada Familia and dedicated a shrine to the Holy Family. The Temple, as yet unfinished in Barcelona, was built by the architectural genius and Servant of God Antonio Gaudí. It was designed as a universal spiritual home for all families and to perpetuate the virtues and examples of the Family of Nazareth.His Train of Thought Saint Josep Manyanet wrote letters, books and booklets for the members of his religious Institutes, for families and children and for the management of schools. One standout is the School of Nazareth and Home of the Holy Family (Barcelona 1895). The spiritual autobiography has a characterdialoguing with Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The conversations describe a process of Christian and religious perfection inspired by the school of Nazareth. St. Josep's book titledA Priceless Family Gem (Barcelona 1899) is a guide for marriages and families. It is about the dignity of the sacrament of marriage and the importance of childrens' Christian education. The Spirit of the Holy Family is a book of meditations dedicated to members of St. Josep's religious Institutes, wherein he describes their vocation, identity and mission. An edition of his Selected Works (Madrid 1991) and a forthcoming edition of his Complete Workswill enrich those already published.Illnesses and Death Fr. Josep's many endeavors were not free of difficulties. He endured physical illnesses, but his constancy and fortitude, nourished by his humble obedience to the will of God, helped him persevere. Because of his poor health and open sores, which he labeled God's mercies for 16 years, he passed away on December 17, 1901. He was working at his school, "Jesús, María y José" of Barcelona. His last words were a fervent prayer:Jesus, Mary and Joseph. St. Josep's relics are kept in a chapel at the school where he passed away. He is a spiritual doctor for the youth and for families. We can draw closer to God by reading his works.Witness to Holiness The Process of Canonization was formally introduced in 1956. His practice of heroic virtues was recognized in 1982 after proofs were collected. Pope John Paul II declared him blessed in 1984 after a healing miracle attributed to his intercession. After another healing miracle through his intercession, St. Josep was canonized in Rome on May 16, 2004. Pope John Paul II stated that Josep Manyanet's sanctity stems from the Holy Family. He was called by God, so that "in his name every family on earth may be blessed." The Holy Spirit guided him to proclaim the "Gospel of the family." His inspiration was that "all families may imitate and bless the Holy Family of Nazareth." That is: "to build a Nazareth in every home," and to make of every family a "Holy Family."

St. Olympias(Widow († c. 410))

SAINT OLYMPIAS Widow ( c. 410) St. Olympias is a shining light from the Eastern Church. She was orphaned at a tender age and rasied by Theodosia, the sister of St. Amphilochius. Olympias emulated Theodosia's virtues and considered it part of her education and treasured memories. Olympias married at a young age. However, her husband passed away after 20 days. She modestly declined further marriage proposals and gave her life to prayer, good works and charity. Nectarius, the archbishop of Constantinople, ordained Olympias a deaconess. Her duties included preparing the altar, facilitating Holy Mass and administering the diocese. St. Chrysostom, who succeeded Abp. Nectarius, declined to distribute Olympias' alms, but cooperated with her nonetheless. She remained with him after he was banished on June 20, 404. She was also persecuted, and heroically persevered. She crowned a virtuous life with a saintly death around 410.

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