17 December
Reading: Genesis 49:2, 8-10
As Advent enters its final and most intense days, the blessing spoken over Judah lifts our hearts toward the mystery of God’s enduring presence in history. “The scepter shall never depart from Judah” is not merely a statement of royal succession, but a promise that God’s guiding authority will remain among His people. Through generations marked by exile, failure, and hope, this scepter points steadily toward the Messiah, Jesus, born of the line of Judah, whose kingship is rooted not in domination but in faithful presence. Advent invites us to recognize that God does not abandon the human story; He stays, accompanies, and fulfills His word in time. As we wait for the coming of Christ, we are reminded that His reign is already near, quietly shaping our lives and calling us to trust in the constancy of God who remains with us, generation after generation. Let’s reflect: Advent is the season of trusting in God’s faithful presence, recognizing that His guiding rule and promise remain among us as we await the coming of Christ the King.
Don Giorgio