Decoding your mission in life

Bible verse:
The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (Matthew 1: 1-16, 18-23)

Inspiration:
In today’s Gospel reading, Matthew takes us through thirteen generations of Jesus’ family tree. Genealogy was an important topic among ancient Jews because every male descendant of King David was considered a potential messiah. By recounting Jesus’ ancestry, Matthew was affirming Jesus' claim to being the Messiah.

The study of genealogy remains a popular pursuit today. In fact, a single Internet site, MyFamily.com, has over 850,000 paid subscribers. One of my relatives used the Internet to trace our family roots back to the 1300s. Another relative used the Internet to find long-lost relatives, which led to a family reunion attended by more than 600 people. At that reunion, I was struck by the variation in physical appearance and personality types within the family tree.

Just this week scientists published for the first time the complete genetic sequence of a single person, including the DNA inherited from both parents – both sides of the family tree. Their research revealed that human-to-human variation is five to seven-fold greater than earlier estimates. We are more unique at the individual genetic level than previously thought possible.

As King David said in Psalm 139:14, we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Our genetic code is God’s instruction manual, His way of preparing us for our unique mission in life. Our bodies consist of over 50 billion cells; most of them function only a few weeks before dying and being replaced; and, yet we remain one and the same over time. Our mission in life never changes.

There is one mission in life that we all share in common, a duty made clear as we reflect on our genetic code. We all have a sacred duty to pass onto to future generations the quality of life that we received as a gift from our ancestors.

Yet our way of life is increasingly threatened by the rise in global warming and the opposing environmental  trend toward global dimming. No matter which trend prevails, humankind stands to lose.

As stewards of the land, we are called to take an active role in reducing pollution. What’s more, we can do so through simple household measures. For example, the average two-person household produces 41,500 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. By adjusting the temperature setting on the furnace and air conditioner by one degree, replacing 10 standard light bulbs with energy efficient ones and recycling papers, plastics, cans and bottles, each two-person household can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 4,300 pounds or better than 10%. Far greater savings are possible with other measures such as energy efficient cars and appliances and proper home insulation.

To calculate the pollution savings your household can achieve, use the Environmental Protection Agency’s calculator at http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html.

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.