On Sunday, December 23, 2024, His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak celebrated the Holy Liturgy at the Parish of the Virgin Mary in Paramus, New Jersey, assisted by Rev. Fr. Gabriel Alkass. In his sermon, His Eminence delivered a powerful reflection on “God’s Plan Through the Generations,” urging the congregation to reflect on the significance of the genealogy of Jesus Christ as presented in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. He began with the words: “Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we draw near to the glorious feast of Christmas, the Church invites us today, on the Sunday before Christmas, to reflect on the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ…” This reflection, while seemingly a list of names, holds profound truths about God’s faithfulness and His divine plan throughout history.
His Eminence also emphasized how these genealogies offer valuable lessons for our lives today. They serve as a reminder of God’s unchanging faithfulness despite human failings, and they highlight the inclusiveness of God’s salvation. His Eminence concluded with a call to embrace God’s faithfulness, the universality of His salvation, and trust that God can work through each of us. “Let us rejoice in His faithfulness, embrace the universality of His salvation, and trust that He can use us for His divine purpose,” he said. The congregation ended the service with a prayer for God’s guidance in reflecting His love to the world.
