O King of the Gentiles and the Desired of all, you are the cornerstone that binds two into one. Come, and save man whom you fashioned out of clay.
Isaiah 28:16: "Therefore, thus says the Lord God: See, I am laying a stone in Zion, a stone that has been tested, a precious cornerstone as a sure foundation".
Ephesians 2:14: "He it is who is our peace, and who made the two of us one by breaking down the barrier of hostility that kept us apart".
The earlier antiphons have already alluded to the Messiah coming not only to Israel but to convert the gentile nations and redeem them for his own. Now this sixth antiphon clearly addresses the savior as the king of the gentiles (Jer.10:7) and the Desired One of the nations. The Messiah is the cornerstone on whom our spiritual foundations are laid, but on whom unbelievers stumble (Matt. 21:42). This cornerstone unites and binds Jew and gentile into one, making peace between them.
The plea is that God save all humanity, all his creation that he formed from the dust of the earth (Gen.2:7). We yearn for him once again to breathe the breath of his new life into us.
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Rex Gentium |
King of all Nations, King of the Gentiles |
Isaias 9:7 His empire shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end of peace: he shall sit upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom; to establish it and strengthen it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth and for ever: the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaias 2:4 And he shall judge the Gentiles, and rebuke many people: and they shall turn their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into sickles: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they be exercised any more to war. |
The plea is that God save all humanity, all his creation that he formed from the dust of the earth (Gen.2:7).
May Jesus grant us peace in ourselves and with our neighbors, He Who is the Prince of Peace! May we keep our eyes fixed on the poor Baby in the manger, in spite of all the things around us that have nothing to do with His Birth! Let us remember the purity of Mary, and the dignity of St. Joseph as the earthly head of the Holy Family. The desire of thousands of years is being fulfilled: the Lord has come to save mankind from its sins! Amen! Come Lord Jesus, God and Man! Save us!