O Root of Jesse, that stands for an ensign of the people, before whom the kings keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: come, to deliver us, and tarry not. Amen.
The antiphon for the Radical. Getting to the root of the matter is the central theme of the day. Only when we are rooted can we grow up strong and confident. Growing is not an optional extra in any faith. Today, we recognise Jesus – conscious of his roots in the ancient bloodlines of Israel – conscious of the fact that he represents that great outpouring of divine inclusion. All the world will all be gathered into this kingdom. All the false divisions that we make – Gentile and Jew, young and old, gay and straight, male and female, dirty shepherd and magi-king – all these divisions melt away round the manger cradle.
He will be the ensign of the people, the gathering point for all humanity. He signifies God's presence. His banner of love is unfurled in the silence of the desert. Waving in the wilderness breeze is the signifier of one who will gather all, enfold all and embrace all.
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