“O KING OF THE NATIONS” (DECEMBER 22)- A REFLECTION ON THE GREAT “O” ANTIPHONS FOR THE SECOND PART OF ADVENT

Today’s supplication to Christ at Mass and at Vespers goes thus:

“O King whom all the peoples desire, you are the cornerstone which makes all one. O come and save man, whom you made from clay”

Dear friends, the psalmists often sing the Lord’s kingship (CF. Psalm 24; 47; 96; et al.); the prophets announce that the Child will be the “Prince of Peace,” and will extend his power by securing peace because his reign will be consolidated in law and justice (cf. Is 9: 1-6). He is the King whose kingdom is not of this world (cf. John 18:36), who came to take our human frailty, elevating us, making us, by the mystery of his Incarnation, Death and Resurrection, partakers of his divine nature!