The Jesse Tree Series:Unlikely Heroes: Friday of the Second Week of Advent

THE JESSE TREE SERIES:

What does Friday of the Second week of Advent entail for our Jesse Tree:

UNLIKELY HEROES

SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 16:14-23.

Samuel is sent to Bethlehem and God orders him to anoint the boy David. This son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah is to be the heir of the promise made to the patriarchs.  The spirit of God descended and rested on David who became the type of the King-Messiah.

THE PERSON: DAVID

David is the youngest son of Jesse who as a shepherd boy is destined to become King. Like all of us, David had his good and troublesome aspects to his character and as we read through scripture, we recall both these aspects. David however had the ability to recognize his failures/sins and repented of them.

THE EVENT/THEME: UNLIKELY

HEROES:  During our reflection time today, let us ponder on David as a shepherd boy destined to become King.

We may wish to

1.            Offer a prayer of praise for God's gifts to us.

2.            Rediscover the gifts God has given us and use them to their full potential.  You may wish to make a practical commitment to improve and enhance one dormant gift this advent/liturgical year.

3.            Make a practical commitment: As today's theme is Unlikely Heroes, we may wish to:

o        reflect on the unsung/unlikely heroes we have met in our faith journey. Why does God choose people who by human standards are an unlikely choice? What does it say to us about how God chooses- Scripture tells us that God sees the heart?

o        Consider the calling and vocation of children- How do these children’s behaviour and play resonate with us? In some countries, there is a tradition of placing some toys/objects in the baby/child's play area around the time of the baptism. The parents watch to see what the baby gravitates to, as it can give a clue as to their future calling.

SYMBOL 13: HARP 

 Let us remember David, the youngest son of Jesse.  The shepherd boy destined to become King.  His gift of music soothed the troubled soul of Saul.  His story reminds us of God's providence in our lives.as we prepare our twelfth symbol (twelfth cut out symbol) and place it on the tree.