come to save us without delay!
A close study of Old Testament history will make clear that a miraculous birth of a child is intimately linked to people of importance in the Israelite story. Today we hear of the miraculous encounters with an angel making known to Manoah and his unnamed and barren wife of their future. No doubt the birth of John the Baptist comes to mind.
An unusual aspect of these events was that the mother would be expected to dedicate her only born child, a son, to the service of God. The angel told the parents the child was to be a nazirite -- not someone from Nazareth but a person who gave some or all of his life to divine service. As well, a nazirite would not have his hair cut nor would he take wine or strong drink.
So Samson was born and became the so-called strongest man in the bible, saving the Isrealites from the Philistine army's attack. Samson confronted the political oppression of the people. John the Baptist prepared the people to make ready for the birth of the long-awaited Messiah.
The third "O Antiphon" reminds of the fulfillment of Isaiah's words "there shall be a Root of Jesse" (Is. 11:1-10). Recall that Jesse was the father of David and he lived in Bethlehem. Jesus we know was of Davidic lineage, recalled in the gospel of the first day of the octave.
From our parish on Capitol Hill, let us pray for the men and women who daily work in serving the Church -- bishops, priests, deacons, men and women in consecrated life as well as the laity. We pray for their continued work in bringing the message of the Messiah to the people of God in today's world. As well, let us pray for parents to be generous in offering encouragement to their children to consider a life of service in and to the Church.
