First mentioned in France in the 5th century and included in the liturgies in Rome by the 8th century, these petitions reflect the sentiments held by the earliest followers of Christ in their liturgies.
The "O Antiphons" highlight a title used in Old Testament literature for the coming Messiah. Today the first of the antiphons is "O Wisdom."
O Wisdom of our God Most High
guiding creation with power and love:
come teach us the path of knowledge.
Isaiah had prophesied in chapter 11:2-3, "The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord." Again, in chapter 28:29, he wrote "Wonderful is his counsel and great is his wisdom."
For us today, we are reminded that God deals with each of us not using logic or power or tradition or merit. We are the recipients of pure gift from God, pure love. What he gives us comes from his wisdom, his principles that transcend our human inventions.
As we pray during these octave days, let us ask God to gift us with the skills of prudence in what we do and what we say. Here, at St. Joseph's on Capitol Hill, let us pray for all who serve our country in the United States Senate both Senators and Staffers that prudence may be theirs for it is the key to wisdom.
