O Antiphons – the hidden message
In each of the O Antiphons there has been the plea to God: Come…
Does God answer our prayers? Look backwards at them in reverse order:
O Emmanuel
O Rex
O Oriens
O Clavis
O Radix
O Adonai
O Sapientia
The capital letters (which in medieval texts were, of course illuminated) spell ERO CRAS, which in Latin means ‘Tomorrow I will come!”. Often when we pray we feel somehow that it’s a one-way conversation; our words disappearing into oblivion, as we hope (and sometimes doubt) that God hears us. Hidden in the O Antiphons is the indication that God not only hears, but is in dialogue with us. Advent is a period of waiting, but even as we wait his answer is hinted at in a hidden and inaudible whisper: Tomorrow, I will come.
When we pray, hope, doubt, wonder whether it’s worth it, whether God will ever hear us or act on our behalf, we can remember this Advent principle. The answer is in the future, in the Maranatha, yes. But the answer is already promised. Before you look forward for the answer to prayer, look backwards to the waiting. Somewhere, hidden in your conversation wth God, even though it feels like a monologue, there is the whisper of an answer.
11 Responses to “O Antiphons – the hidden message”
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Maggi has kept a blog since September 2003, writing about theology and faith, the arts and literature, and a little about life and random nonsense...
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I’d never noticed this before. Well, truth to be told, even if I had, my language skills wouldn’t be skilled enough to decode it.
Agree wholeheartedly re the sentiment in your last pagaraph. Last bit of the wait is always the hardest; in the long dark nights let us hear, as the carollers tell, the still small voice of God.
This is wonderful! I have been reading your posts on the Antiphons with interest, as I’d never properly come across them before. This ‘twist’ has made my day!
These posts on the O Antiphones have been a real “treat” for me. I have relished each one as it has come and feel they have given me not only information, but daily gateways into worship. Thanks Maggi.
You are one of Christianity’s best ambassadors.
Tony, you are too kind. What a lovely thing to say.
It’s no more than the truth; have a good Christmas
What’s interesting is this particular post is referenced on The Entangled States blog written by an Episcopal bishop who also happens have graduate degrees in Cosmology and Solid State Physics (here’s the link: http://www.entangledstates.org/2010/12/the-hidden-response-in-the-antiphons.html ). He mentions that he loves a good Advent and/or Christmas acrostic (as do I, even though I have Asperger’s Syndrome) and that he never noticed this. Neither did I and I tend to spot a lot of patterns and relationships between things. That I find entertaining and unusual.
What Tony B says. If more followed your example, there would be fewer problems.
hi there zachary, nice to hear from you