The "O" Antiphons
17/December/2007 Filed in:
JottingsIn this last week of Advent we sing every night until Christmas Eve a solemn Magnificat Antiphon, invoking the coming of God under various titles and attributes. The initial letters of these antiphons, read backwards, give ERO CRAS, which medieval commentators delighted to interpret as, "Tomorrow (Christmas Day) I shall be (with you)". Tonight God is invoked under the title of Wisdom (O Sapientia) which comes forth from the mouth of the Most High and stretches from end to end of the Universe, holding all things in being; and we ask that He show us the way of prudence. Prudence may not be the snazziest of virtues, but how essential it is! Benedict called discretion (= prudence) the mother of all the virtues. We underrate prudence at our peril. Let us pray that we may open our hearts to the coming of God as Wisdom in both the great and the little things of life.