O Wisdom!

O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High and, reaching from beginning to end, you ordered all things mightily and sweetly. Come, and teach us the way of prudence. ~O Antiphon for December 17

Ave Maria! My heart always skips a happy little dance when December 17 appears on the calendar as today we sing the first of the seven Great O Antiphons. For the next seven evenings, a different O antiphon will accompany the singing of the Magnificat during Vespers. Each antiphon begins with "O," followed by a specific biblical title of the Messiah and then a brief recounting of the saving will and action of God recalled in title. Several good articles on these beautiful and powerful antiphons can be found here, here, here, here, here, and here. O joy untold! O hope assured! O come, Divine Messiah!

At Mass today, we hear the gospel of the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-17). It's full of tongue-twisting names, most of which I can never remember. But what I do remember is the second chapter of Lumen Gentium (The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church), which is entitled "On the People of God." Its opening sentence declares: "At all times and in every race God has given welcome to whosoever fears Him and does what is right. God, however, does not make men holy and save them merely as individuals, without bond or link between one another. Rather has it pleased Him to bring men together as one people, a people which acknowledges Him in truth and serves Him in holiness." We did not come from nowhere. We do not exist in a vacuum. We are not alone. We belong to God, we are His people, the sheep of His flock (Psalm 100:3). And we have each other. Our genealogy is far greater, richer and deeper than we realize. "Blest be the tie that binds!" It is precious indeed!

O Mary, Virgin of Advent, blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus!