A reflection for the beginning of the O Antiphons by Mother Maria-Michael Newe, OSB
This is the week (Dec. 17-23 each year) that we get to pray the great O Antiphons at Mass and Vespers, and we should be excited! With them, we cry out for God to come and save us. The O Antiphons have a history in the monastic life that is profound, and it’s even possible that St. Benedict himself would have prayed them. They have been sung in the liturgy of the Church for centuries, likely originating as early as the fourth century in Italy. Boethius mentions them in “The Consolation of Philosophy.” When we pray them, we’re doing something ever ancient and ever new. For every age they will mean something different. And we must look deeply for this meaning, because it is bestowed each time we sing them. With each O Antiphon, we cry out to heaven once again: “Maranatha! Come!”
Calligraphy by the nuns of the Abbey of St. Walburga of the O Antiphons (in Latin)
In the first, O Sapientia, we take a backward flight into the recesses of eternity to address Wisdom, the Word of God. In the second, O Adonai, we have leaped from eternity to the time of Moses and the Law of Moses (about 1400 B.C.). In the third, O Radix Jesse, we have come to the time when God was preparing the line of David (about 1100 B.C.). In the fourth, O Clavis David, we have come to the year 1000. In the fifth, O Oriens we see that the line of David is elevated so that the peoples may look on a rising star in the east, and hence in the sixth, O Rex Gentium, we know that He is king of all the world of man. This brings us to the evening before the vigil, and before coming to the town limits of Bethlehem, we salute Him with the last Great O, O Emmanuel, God-with-us.
He Cometh, Fr. William McGarry
O Sapientia (Dec. 17), O Adonai (Dec. 18), O Radix Jesse (Dec. 19), O Clavis David (Dec. 20), O Oriens (Dec. 21), O Rex Gentium (Dec. 22), O Emmanuel (Dec. 23). God Himself came in all of those titles. They’re powerful. We should stand in awe before each one. Each one should stop us in our tracks.
On December 17 we have the antiphon for O Sapientia: “O Widsom of our God most high, guiding creation with power and love, come to teach us the path of knowledge.” True knowledge. True wisdom. Having wisdom enables us to do everything through the eyes of heaven. And who is heaven but Christ? There’s a popular adage right now, “Do what Jesus would do.” That is exactly what we should be aiming for. That is exactly right. We should weigh our decisions on eternity.
In chapter four of the Holy Rule, St. Benedict says, “Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way; the love of Christ must come before all else.” When we live that way we proclaim where we’re headed. Our way MUST be different from that of the world. We must value the things of heaven. God says “Take care, first, of the things of heaven. I’ll take care of the things of earth. I’m the creator of ALL.” If we live that way, we will die that way: with our eyes on eternity, on Jesus. He is the one and the only one who will care for us. He is the only one who will love us and love our souls to the fullest measure. Nothing can reach the depth of the love that Christ’s love can reach. Nothing. Therefore we yearn for Him. That’s why we’re attentive to the soul. We want it to be filled. We go each day to pray the prayers of the Church, that we may be filled and walk according to the law of God, not of the world. And today it’s going to take more to walk the ways of God. They are not as appreciated or valued as they once were. But if one touches God, one can’t help but to strive to love God.
So strive for the Wisdom of God. Ask God for the Wisdom of Heaven. It will be different from the way of the world and it should be. Have you not chosen a way different? Hang on to it. Embrace it and do not let it go.
We will see the face of Him whom we long for. What we read, we will see in the flesh. As we sing the O Antiphons, embrace them. Get excited about them within. Pray them with delight. Pay attention to what you are singing, because it has the touch of eternity.
O Sapientia – O Wisdom, which camest out of the mouth of the most High, and reachest from one end to another, mightily, and sweetly ordering all things: come and teach us the way of prudence.
O Adonai – O Adonai, and Leader of the house of Israel, who appearedst in the Bush to Moses in a flame of fire, and gavest him the law of Sinai: come and deliver us with an outstretched arm.
O Radix Jesse – O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at whom kings shall shut their mouths, to whom the Gentiles shall seek; Come and deliver us, and tarry not.
O Clavis David – O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel; that openest, and no man shutteth, and shuttest, and no man openeth: Come and bring the prisoner out of the prison-house, and him that sitteth in darkness, and the shadow of death.
O Oriens – O Day-spring, Brightness of light everlasting and Sun of rightesousness: Come and enlighten him that sitteth in darkness, and the shadow of death.
O Rex gentium – O King of the nations, and their Desire, the Cornerstone, who makest both one: come and save mankind, whom thou formedst of clay.
O Emmanuel – O Emmanuel, our King and Law-giver, the Desire of all nations, and their Salvation: Come and save us, O Lord our God.