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Saturday, December 19, 2009

O Radix Jesse

O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, iam noli tardare.
O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.
— Great “O” Antiphon of the Canticle of Mary, for Vespers, on December 19th.

This is from Isaiah, chapter 11.  Jesse was King David's father; the prophesy states that the lineage of Jessie  would almost be destroyed, but not quite — the roots would remain from which will flower the Messiah.

In context, this passage tells that the Messiah shall bring justice to the poor, and slay the wicked. This is in contradiction to theologies of “health and wealth” and those that deny sin.

Jesus wasn't “nice”, although he was “meek and humble of heart”, and His return will be one of judgement and fire. Do we wait in joyful hope or in fear and trembling?  Or rather, should we be trembling when instead we are comfortable with ourselves?

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