O Wisdom - 'O Antiphon' for the 17th of December
O Wisdom, you come forth from the mouth of the Most High. You fill the universe and hold all things together in a strong yet gentle manner. O come to teach us the way of truth.
The Genealogy of St Matthew’s Gospel, which we read this morning at Mass, always evokes St Paul’s exclamation in his letter to the Romans: “O the depths of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are his judgments, how inscrutable his ways! To Him be glory for ever, Amen.” (Rom 11:33). Which one of us would have chosen a harlot, a prostitute, a murderer and adulterer as fitting ancestors of the Eternal Son of God? Yet it is into this world of sin and division that the Saviour came to redeem and save our human race and raise us to the dignity of sons and daughters of God.
Paul never tired of proclaiming Christ the power and wisdom of God – teaching us that God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom and God’s weakness stronger than human strength. Paul speaks about the “mysterious wisdom” of God – kept hidden throughout the ages but revealed in Christ Jesus – most clearly manifest in his Crucifixion, death and Resurrection. He has become our wisdom, our righteousness, our holiness and our redemption. (1Cor 1).
In the Old Testament we see this Wisdom at work in God’s infinite Providence guiding the whole of His creation. The author of the Book of Wisdom describes this Providence very beautifully: “Your great power is always at your service....yet you are merciful to all, because you are almighty and overlook our sins so that we can repent. Controlling your strength, You are mild in judgement, governing us with great lenience....By acting thus, You have taught your people to be kindly and compassionate to each other as our Father is compassionate.” (cf Wis 12: 16,18,19. Lk 6:36)
As our world continues to suffer the effects of the Covid19 Pandemic we pray that our eyes may be open to recognise God’s Providence at work leading us to repentance for our sins and failures and inviting us to a new relationship with Himself, with ourselves and each other and with the whole of creation. With the whole Church we pray:
O Wisdom, you come forth from the mouth of the Most High. You fill the universe and hold all things together in a strong yet gentle manner. O come to teach us the way of truth.
0
reviews