Monday 22. December 2014
Rorate Caeli: 4. Sunday in Advent
O Rex Gentium
℣ O King of the Nations, the Ruler they long for, the Cornerstone uniting all | people:*
℟ Draw near and save the human race, whom You formed | out of clay.
The O King of the Nations Antiphon is from Isaiah 9,6 and 2,4: »For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government is upon His shoulder, and His Name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He judges between the nations, and decides disputes for many peoples; and they beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation does not lift up sword against nation, neither do they learn war anymore.«
This Antiphon teaches us that the Jesus is the promised Messiah for Israel and the Christ for the Gentiles. All the nations find their salvation only in Him. God told Abraham that all nations would be blessed through Him, and His Offspring fulfilled that promise. Simeon sang in his Nunc Dimittis regarding Jesus: mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thous hast prepared before the face of all people, a Light to lighten the Gentiles and the Glory of Thy people Israel.
Prayer: Draw near, O Desire of the nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind, bid our sad divisions cease and be our King of Peace. Amen.
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