How can the profound truth that “If Jesus were born a thousand times in Bethlehem and not in me, then I would still be lost” inspire the kind of leadership called for in “On Care for our Common Home” —leadership that meets the needs of the present with concern for all and without prejudice toward future “#generations“, as reflected in the “generations” listed in today’s Gospel (Matthew 21:23–27)❓
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 Christ.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 Christ,
fourteen generations.
Today’s question invites me to consider the intersection of personal spiritual transformation, leadership, and the broader responsibility I hold toward both present and future “generations“. The quote “If Jesus were born a thousand times in Bethlehem and not in me, then I would still be lost” underscores the importance of internalizing Christ’s message. True transformation begins within, as personal faith becomes the foundation for meaningful action in the world.
On Care for Our Common Home emphasizes the urgency of leadership that is forward-thinking and inclusive—concerned not only with addressing present challenges but also with safeguarding the planet and the well-being of future “generations“. This requires leaders who embody a prophetic vision, rooted in love and justice, to guide humanity onto paths of sustainability and solidarity. Without this kind of leadership, the ecological and social crises we face will deepen, leaving future “generations” to bear the consequences of our inaction.
The genealogy in Matthew 1:1–17 highlights the continuity of God’s plan through “generations“, culminating in the birth of Christ. It reminds us that our actions today are part of a larger story. Just as past “generations” prepared the way for Christ, we are called to prepare the way for those who come after us. This reflection challenges me to see my personal transformation as intrinsically linked to the collective mission of caring for creation and ensuring justice for all.
Itzhak Stern: Oskar, there are eleven hundred people who are alive because of you. Look at them.
Oskar Schindler: If I’d made more money… I threw away so much money. You have no idea. If I’d just…
Itzhak Stern: There will be “generations” because of what you did.
Consequently, how can I embody a faith that inspires leadership grounded in love for God, neighbor, and creation—a leadership that connects the past, present, and future in the ongoing story of God’s redeeming work,…
We lack leadership capable of striking out on new paths and meeting the needs of the present with concern for all and without prejudice towards coming “generations“.
From paragraph 53 of ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME
