Ruth and the Mothers of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew

Registration required by February 23. Open to the public. Sign-in and "coffee and" begins at noon.

The Gospel of Matthew opens with a long genealogy of Jesus that we read (or stumble over!) once a year at the Christmas Vigil Mass. This genealogy is both a remarkable theological work and deeply Jewish, serving as the link between the Hebrew Scriptures and the legitimation of Jesus the Messiah. There is perhaps no better time to enter into this genealogy than during the Lenten season, as we reflect upon the cycle of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. This talk will explore the background to Matthew’s Gospel; examine Matthew’s genealogy, in particular the theological value of four women included in the line of Jesus; and engage deeply with the story of one of these women as told in the book of Ruth. The goal of this talk is to join heart and mind, connecting more intimately with Jesus through the mysteries of Scripture and the power of his ancestral line according to Matthew.

Session 1 will explore the background to Matthew’s Gospel and examine Matthew’s genealogy, focusing in particular on the theological value of four women included in the line of Jesus.

Session 2 will engage deeply with the story of one of these women, Ruth, as told in the story that bears her name.