From December 17th onward, we shift into a higher gear in our Advent preparation for Christmas: it is the time of the "O Antiphons" which are used for the Magnificat at Evening Prayer in the Divine Office – as well as the "Alleluia Verse" of Daily Mass. Each "O" statement makes known a special title of the coming Messiah: Son of God and Son of Mary.
Today's "O" statement is O LEADER of the House of Israel, come to rescue us with your mighty power!
It was always thought that the Messiah – when at last he came would be a rescuer of the people of God – who were in more need of rescuing than they even realized. They had more of a political rescue (or bailout) in mind – but God had a spiritual one in mind all along!
The Law was given to Moses and the people on Mt. Sinai to be a tool for them to measure their spiritual connectedness to him; but these people changed its meaning into a tool of spiritual self-condemnation. Interpreting the Law of God with a secular mind will always bring about confusion, chaos and worse: possible spiritual death!
But the first reading today tells us that from the stump of Jesse will sprout a righteous shoot – who shall be king, who shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land. And in his day Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell in security. The gospel passage tells of the wondrous birth of this King of David's line – the fulfillment of the Law of Moses – spiritual life and blessing for all – Emmanuel: "God is with us!"
And so, for all, justice shall flourish in his time (which is all time) and fullness of peace (for now) and forever!
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