"O Flower of Jesse's Stem" is the next title in the O Antiphons. Surely it is one of the more obscure titles of the Messiah. Who was Jesse? Jesse was the father of King David. It was prophesied by Isaiah that the Messiah would come from the lineage of King David. "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit" (Isaiah 11:1) and "In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious" (11:10). It was also foretold by Micah that the Messiah would hail from Bethlehem. "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times" (Micah 5:2). Because of these prophecies concerning the Messiah, Matthew gives us the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1) and Luke provides the story of how Jesus came to be born in Bethlehem, the City of David (Luke 2). Thus they help to demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus, of the tribe of Jesse, of the town of Bethlehem, is the full flowering of the Messianic promises made through the ages. For Reflection: Christians were persecuted around the world this year. Some had their churches bombed. Some were not allowed to worship openly. Some were not allowed to visit Bethlehem for Christmas. Let us pray. O Wisdom, O Lord, O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.
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While Paul was telling others to put on the armor of God, he was in prison (Eph 6:19-20). No doubt he clothed himself with that same armor, recalling the Torah and the teachings of Jesus. He may have had to remind himself every day of the experience of Jesus touching him on the way to Damascus; how he was blinded, and God healed him. He knew that he had been saved from a life of sin since he often referred to himself as the foremost of sinners. Great evangelist that he was, he asked for prayer from the other believers. "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should" (Eph 6:19-20). Paul knew the value of his own prayer, but he also knew the value of having other people pray for him. For reflection: All preachers, evangelists and missionaries are in need of prayer. For which one am I called to pray today? Let us pray. Father, I ask your protection for _______. Help them to put on the full armor today. May they proclaim the Gospel without fear, without worry and without doubt. Give them the proper words to say at the right time and the right place. May they truly be your ambassadors. Having escaped from Damascus with his life, Saul heads to Jerusalem where he is not welcomed. The disciples in Jerusalem are still afraid of the notorious man and doubt his conversion. Poor Saul is not accepted until Barnabas comes from Damascus to vouch for him. So then Saul begins to preach in Jerusalem, and before long the Jews there are trying to kill him just as the Jews in Damascus were. So the other disciples send him home to Tarsus (Acts 9:23-30). The disciples in these early days had the wisdom to know when it was time to flee and when it was time to stand. Although Stephen had stood his ground and been stoned, it was not time for the other disciples to do so. For reflection: Do I have the discernment to know when it is time to speak and when to keep silent? When to stay and when to go? When to stand my ground and when to leave the field and live to witness another day? Let us pray. Lord Jesus, I place my life and my times in your hands. Lead me where I should go and keep me from where I should not be. Grant me the wisdom and discernment to hear your voice and to follow it. |
AliceI started this website and blog on May 1, 2012. I am a Catholic who has been in ministry for many years. I first developed what I would call a close relationship with Jesus in the early 1970s. Ever since then I have been praying with people for healing and other needs. It is because I have seen so many of these prayers answered that I am so bold as to offer to pray for you individually through this website and phone line. Archives
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