Reflection
We begin our retreat as the Gospel of Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus through Joseph, who adopted him as his son. Jesus is thus linked in with the founding father of the people, Abraham, through the celebrated King David, to the humble carpenter, Joseph. All this fits neatly into 3 x 14 generations. Its all part of God’s plan. You may like to ponder the text and see what it says to you.
You may like to go back as far as you can with your own family tree.
What have these men and women given you?
You can often understand people better when you see how they were brought up and the traumas they may have suffered.
Can you thank God for your ancestors?
Today’s Prayer
Preparation: Begin by stilling; then dedicating the time of prayer to God and asking God that all you think, feel and imagine are for the glory of God.
Gift: Ask for what you desire. Suggestion: To know Jesus more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly.
Setting: A Scripture reading to ponder – Lectio Divina.
Scripture
Matthew 1:1-3, 5-7, 10-12& 17 edited.
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham
Abraham became the father of Isaac.
Isaac became the father of Jacob.
Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar………
Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth.
Obed became the father of Jesse.
Jesse became the father of King David.
David the king became the father of Solomon by her who had been Uriah’s wife.
Solomon became the father of Rehoboam.
Rehoboam became the father of Abijah.
Abijah became the father of Asa…
After the exile to Babylon, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel.
Shealtiel became the father of Zerubbabel. ……
Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the exile to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon to the Christ, fourteen generations.
Conversation: Talk to Jesus in your own words as a friend
Final Prayer: End with a formal prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father.
Today’s Music
The Family of Man: The Spinners