How long the Israelites waited for the Messiah! Then, when he came and the promises began to be fulfilled, they did not recognise him. What a tragedy! Now the believing Jews are still waiting for him… They are also waiting for the coming of the Prophet Elijah, who is to precede the Messiah. But he too has already come: “If you will believe me, he is the Elijah who was to return”, says Jesus, referring to John the Baptist (Mt 11:14).
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Seventh Antiphon O: “O Emmanuel”
O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,
the hope of the nations and their Saviour:
Come and save us, O Lord our God.
O Emmanuel, King and Master
all that you say and do
serves as instruction and for our salvation.
You teach us the right way (Mt 22:16);
You reveal to us the mystery of man…
You are our Lord and our Master (Jn 13:13)!
Sixth O Antiphon: “O Rex gentium”
O King of the nations, and their desire,
the cornerstone making both one:
Come and save the human race,
which you fashioned from clay.
All peoples are waiting for you, O King of nations.
Deep down they know it:
There must be the One who truly loves us;
There must be the One whom we willingly serve,
There must be the One who does not take advantage of us for his own interests,
He who does not oppress us,
The One who can be trusted without reservation!
Fifth antiphon O: “O Oriens”
O Morning Star,
splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:
Come and enlighten those
who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
When Thou, O Sun of righteousness, arisest,
thus diffusing the uncreated light,
You pierce through all darkness
and everywhere comes life, true life.
Fourth O Antiphon: “O Clavis David”
O Key of David and Sceptre of the house of Israel,
Who dost open and no man doth shut,
Who dost shut and no man doth open,
come and bring forth from his prisonhouse
the captive that sitteth in darkness and in the shadow of death.
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Mt 28:18) – You say to us, O Key of David and Sceptre of the house of Israel.
You, the Lamb of God, were the only one worthy to open the Book and its seals (Rev 5:1-5).
Third O antiphon: “O Radix Iesse”
O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;
before you kings will shut their mouths,
to you the nations will make their prayer:
Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.
In many parts of the world, O Lord, Your sign is raised up: the sign of the Cross.
Exalted in it, You exclaim: “I am the salvation of the nations”.
“Why this uproar among the nations, this impotent muttering of the peoples? Kings of the earth take up position, princes plot together against Yahweh and his anointed” (Ps 2:1-2).
Second O antiphon: “O Adonai”
O Adonai, and Leader of the house of Israel,
Who didst appear to Moses in the flame of the burning bush,
and didst give unto him the Law on Sinai:
come and with an outstretched arm redeem us.
O Adonai, Father of life!
You never forsook man, even when he turned his back on You. Read More
First O antiphon: “O Sapientia”
O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from one end to the other,
mightily and sweetly ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way of prudence.
You, O Wisdom, bring everything into holy order, for You come from the Eternal Father. Thou dost penetrate all things and, by Thy strength and gentleness, dost restore the divine order.
You, O Eternal Father, send the One “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3). To meet Him, to open oneself to His love, is to be touched by Wisdom. Read More
A light in the midst of darkness (ADVENT IN APOCALYPTIC TIMES, Part V)
NOTE: Today is the last day of the series on “Advent in Apocalyptic Times.” If anyone would prefer to listen to a meditation on the reading or the gospel of the day, you can find it at the following link: http://en.elijamission.net/2021/12/14/
In the midst of the darkness, a light shines… It is the shining light of faith, which guides us through the darkness that surrounds us today. Faith does not allow itself to be disturbed, but continues to praise the Coming of Christ, His Birth in Bethlehem. This same faith makes us vigilant not to overlook the signs of the times and to be prepared for the Return of Christ. Read More
The shadows over the Holy Church (ADVENT IN APOCALYPTIC TIMES, Part IV)
NOTE: We resume today’s series on “Advent in Apocalyptic Times.” If anyone prefers to listen to a meditation on the reading or the Gospel of the day, you can find it at the following link: http://en.elijamission.net/the-question-of-authority/
In the meditations of December 9 and 10, we had focused on the darkness we see around us. Although it is undoubtedly dense darkness, it should not lead us to surrender, to a fatalistic attitude, as if we could not defend ourselves against it. Read More