O Antiphons - 2017 - December 18th - O Adonai (O Lord)

O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammæ rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.

O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush, and gave him the Law on Sinai, come to redeem us with outstretched arm

"Adonai" is Hebrew for "my Lord", and was substituted by devout Jews for the name "Yahweh", out of reverence. With this second antiphon we progress from creation to the familiar story of God manifesting himself by name to Moses and giving his law to Israel as their way of life. 

We are also reminded of the Israelite's' deliverance from bondage under pharaoh - a foreshadowing of our own redemption from sin. The image of God's arm outstretched in power to save his chosen people also brings to mind the later scene of Jesus with his arms outstretched for us on the cross.

PAYG - ‘God With Us: An Advent Retreat with the O Antiphons’

Reflections from prior years on the O Antiphons

• iBenedictines - O Adonai: Our Need of Holiness 2016
• Salt + Light - O Adonai
• Dating God - O Holy Lord: The God Who Hears Our Cries
• Blue Eyed Ennis - O Lord
• University of Notre Dame - O Adonai
• Thinking Anglicans - O Adonai