A college basketball star was asked why he chose to play for a certain university. He said it was because of the particular coach. This coach had the reputation of being demanding on his players in such a way that he brought out the full potential in them. It is no surprise that this young athlete was immediately drafted into the NBA upon graduation.
All of us hope that we will reach our full potential in life. Ever since the fall of Adam and Eve we tend to underestimate who we are and who we are destined to become. Today the Church has us look at the roots of our identity. Who are our ancestors in faith?
First we turn our attention to Judah, the fourth son of Jacob (Genesis 49:2-10).
“Jacob called his sons and said…’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…”
Judah, rather than Reuben, the oldest son of Jacob, was anointed by God to lead his brothers and their families. He would become a fierce warrior before whom his enemies would cringe. He would become as a lion-king who ruled, not be sitting on a comfortable throne, but by engaging the enemies in battle. And when he died, he would pass his leadership on to his son, their sons, and forever.
Then we move to Matthew’s gospel to read the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-17). Here we recall the names of other ancestors in faith.
“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…Judah became the father of Perez…(down to) David the king.”
Perhaps the greatest warrior king that ever existed was David. We learn that he was of the line of Judah. The “king of beasts” was in his lineage.
“…the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.”
Forty-two generations are listed, and the scepter still remain with Judah—through David and up to Jesus Christ. One of the titles we give Jesus is “lion of Judah.” And today, many generations later, the scepter remains in the hand of Jesus Christ. He is the lion who rules over the Church. In him Abraham, Judah, and David still live. And we know that, not only has Jesus ruled for twenty centuries, but he will also continue to rule until the end of time.
Where do we fit into this picture. At baptism, when the Holy Spirit came upon us, the risen Jesus was planted in our hearts. That means that our roots are now in Judah, David, and Jesus. We are expected to exhibit the traits of the one who lives within us. Imagine the potential we have! Imagine the expectations God has of us.
The know that the Evil One does not want us to live up to our potential, just as coaches do not want the players of an opposing ball team to perform to their potential. One of the greatest tactics of the Enemy is to convince Christians that “mediocrity” is satisfying to God. What coach would be satisfied with mediocre players who do not live up to their potential?
The ”lion of Judah” lives inside each of us. Our Coach is doing all he can to spur us on to being all that God intends of us. Why would we want to settle for less. Why would we aim for doing the minimal in our faith? Are we surprised when our Coach puts us through the fire of suffering and trials so that we can rise up from the state of lukewarmness to being like our “Lion King” during our short journey on earth.
Advent challenges us to be fully the daughters and sons God created us to be.
