Second Thursday of Advent

8 December 2011

Today is the Solmnity of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There is a link to the right that will take
you to a site devoted to this holy day.

Jesse Tree Story:  DAVID
Jesse Tree Symbol:  STAR OF DAVID

Scripture:  " But the Spirit of the Lord withdrew from Saul,
and a wicked spirit from the Lord disturbed him. And the
servants of Saul said to him: “Behold, an evil spirit from
God disturbs you. May our lord order, and your servants,
who are before you, will seek a man skillful in playing a
stringed instrument, so that when the evil spirit from the
Lord assails you, he may play with his hand, and you may
bear it more easily.” And Saul said to his servants, “Then
 provide for me someone who can play well, and bring him
to me.” And one of the servants, responding, said: “Behold,
I have seen the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, a skillful player,
and very strong and robust, a man fit for war, and prudent in
words, a handsome man. And the Lord is with him.” Therefore,
Saul sent messengers to Jesse, saying, “Send to me your son
David, who is in the pastures.” And so, Jesse took a donkey
laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid from one
of the goats, and he sent them, by the hand of his son David,
to Saul. And David went to Saul, and stood before him. And
he loved him exceedingly, and he made him his armor bearer.
And Saul sent to Jesse, saying: “Let David remain before my
sight. For he has found favor in my eyes.” And so, whenever
the evil spirit from the Lord assailed Saul, David took up his
stringed instrument, and he struck it with his hand, and Saul
was refreshed and uplifted. For the evil spirit withdrew from him."
1 Samuel 16:14-23

Commentary:  David, the king and prophet, descended from
the royal line of Christ.  In David's psalms, he foretold many
things about the coming of the Savior.