O Antiphons: Dec 17, O Sapientia (O Wisdom)
Today we begin the seven “O Antiphons.” Each antiphon is a mosaic of biblical references, collected and written in a style called anthological. The unknown author of these beautiful prayers lived around the sixth or seventh century. The author chose seven titles whose first letters, which, read in reverse order, form two Latin words ERO CRAS, meaning "Tomorrow I shall be (with you)."
The importance of “O Antiphons” is twofold: Each one highlights a title for the Messiah: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel. Also, each one refers to the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming of the Messiah.
Today, we pray, O WISDOM eternal, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, you reach from end to end and order all things mightily and sweetly; come now to direct us in the way of holy prudence. (cf. Sir 24; Wis 6-9)
The divine, fatherly and holy dialogue which God initiated with man at the start of creation was interrupted by original sin. But how wonderfully it has been renewed by the Incarnation of the Word. Wisdom came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and once again men and women are invited to an intimate conversation with their Creator.
“God intervened from the beginning of time, speaking to man's heart, calling him in hundreds of ways and making him feel his need for the divine. He intervened in a special way through the prophets, and then finally through Jesus Christ. And through Jesus' words he calls us friends. ‘No longer do I call you servants... but friends’."
“Even more, he calls us his children: ‘You have but one true Father, who is in heaven. And as a pledge of God's love, Jesus makes known to us his plans, what is hidden in the Father's heart. ‘No one has ever seen God; it is the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, who has made him known to mankind’."
Since then, God's conversation with mankind has been constant and uninterrupted. This "dialogue of salvation", for which we express our wonder and thankfulness during these days, is our model for every apostolic action. Thus, our concern for souls will be wise and prudent as well as loving.
“Christian preaching requires two basic elements: fidelity to the truth, and human friendship. There can be no fruitful dialogue without an atmosphere of real friendship, honesty and certainty, or until such an atmosphere is engendered."