The Jesse Tree Series: The Hope for a Future- Monday of the 4th Week of Advent

THE JESSE TREE SERIES:

What does Monday of the Fourth week of Advent entail for our Jesse Tree?

THE HOPE OF A FUTURE.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:26-38. THE ANNUNCIATION.

After telling the story of Zechariah being told of John the Baptist's birth, Luke continues with the story of the Annunciation. The whole passage radiates joy, the joy of the messianic times foretold by the prophets and now coming to pass.  Mary stands as the representative of the people- she is full of grace.  God had made her the object of His favour, his love and His grace.  The child who will be born in her of the Holy Spirit is the glorious descendant of David and 'this reign will have no end'. 
He is the promised Messiah, the Saviour awaited by the remnant of Israel and the poor of God.

THE PERSON: MARY 

Mary is the mother of Jesus- the woman chosen by God to bear Jesus in her womb and to give birth.  Mary was under no obligation to say yes to God, just as we have free will to say yes or no to God. Mary's yes gave hope for a future.

THE EVENT/THEME: THE HOPE FOR A FUTURE:  During our reflection time today, let us ponder on the theme of the hope for a future.

We may wish to

1.            Offer a prayer of thankfulness for Mary's consent to be the mother of Jesus.

2.            Rediscover the wonderment of pregnancy and childbirth

3.            Make a practical commitment: As today's theme is the hope for a future, we may wish to:

·                     Listen to what God is asking of us and commit to say Yes to Him.

·                     Enter into the world of an expectant mother- listen to her joys and fears of the impending birth of her child.

·                     Commit to doing something today that could give hope for a future to someone in need. ( For example: Listen to a person who is suffering depression or post-natal depression or give to a charity who helps people to change their lives and have hope in the future).

SYMBOL 23: WHITE LILY

Let us remember Mary. Her word to the angel 'may it happen to me as you have said' brought hope for a future. God entered humanity through her trust and humility. Let us continue to trust in God's promise to us as we prepare our twenty third symbol (twenty second cut out symbol) and place it on the tree.