“Do not consider this genealogy a small thing to hear: for truly it is a marvellous thing that God should descend to be born of a woman, and to have as His ancestors David and Abraham” (St. John Chrysostom, Homily on Matthew).
Study Audio
This week’s LOVE exercise (interactive scripture meditation, or lectio divina) is based on a Franciscan* personality approach. Go on! Try it!
Listen (Lectio)
“And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation” (Luk 1:50).
Observe (Meditatio)
Sometime this week, visit someone in your family who is old. If there is no one in your family who is aged or who lives close by enough for a visit, go to a nursing home unannounced and ask permission to visit an elderly patient who rarely has visitors.
Verbalize (Oratio)
Talk to this person about God’s mercy. What do you have in common? What is different?
Entrust (Contemplatio)
Before you leave, pray for this person and all his/her ancestors and descendants. In your prayer, entrust them all to God along with your own ancestors and descendants. Ask God to bless and help your new friend, and add him or her to your daily prayer list.
.
*Interactive scripture meditations, LOVE Exercises, vary weekly according to the four personalities, or “prayer forms,” explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Ignatian, Augustinian, Franciscan, and Thomistic.
Scripture References for the Show
Luke 1:46-55, the words of the Magnificat
And Mary said:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm,
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
52 he has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.”
Exo 34:7 “keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”
Matthew 1 & Luke 3:23, genealogies of Jesus
2 Samuel 7:12, Promise to David concerning Christ, royal line of David, that He should spring from him, and reign for ever. Confirmed in Psalm 88 and 131; repeated to Solomon, David’s Son, 1 Kings 9:5.
Genesis 22:18, Promises to Abraham concerning Christ
Genesis 14:13, Abram called “Hebrew” for the first time (from nation called Eber, meaning to cross over or pass through)
Episode Resources
“…[H]e therefore entitles it, ‘The book of the generation,’ because this is the sum of the whole dispensation, the root of all its blessings; viz. that God become man; for this once effected, all other things followed of course. And do not consider this genealogy a small thing to hear: for truly it is a marvellous thing that God should descend to be born of a woman, and to have as His ancestors David and Abraham.” (Chrysostom., Homily in Matthew ii).
New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia on hypostatic union
CCC 494 As St. Irenaeus says, “Being obedient she became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race.” Hence not a few of the early Fathers gladly assert . . . : “The knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied byMary’s obedience: what the virgin Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary loosened by her faith.” Comparing her with Eve, they call Mary “the Mother of the living” and frequently claim: “Death through Eve, life through Mary.”
.
Daily Scripture Reading (Lectio Divina) Resources
Print:
- Magnificat – http://us.magnificat.net/flipbook/US/holy_week/
- Give Us This Day – https://www.giveusthisday.org/Home/LookInside
- Word Among Us – https://myaccount.wau.org/signup
- Living Faith – http://www.livingfaith.com/index.php
Websites:
- Universalis – http://universalis.com/
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/010717.cfm
- Blessed Is She – https://blessedisshe.net/
Apps: https://catholicapptitude.org/2017/01/03/essential-catholic-apps-for-your-phone-or-tablet-or-watch/
Announcements
Be the first to get every new show: Sign up here and get each episode automatically delivered to you every Monday morning.
.
Show series are public for a limited time.
.
Archived shows are premium content, and available to all Friends of the Show as part of their membership package.
.
Thank you for being part of the #evangelistaevolution where we’re loving and lifting all we’ve been given!
.
My Journey Home episode is available to view here or on the homepage.
Show Me Some Love
If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a brief review. It’s a small thing that helps push me into the search ranks so people can find me. Thanks!
Join the Conversation
Tell me about your visit with the elderly person you made this week.
Image Credits
https://unsplash.com/@jaketthacker