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 the prophet beholds the saving power of our God, “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”.
In Ephesians 2:14 Saint Paul reveal the wonder of Christ who breaks down all division among us, “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. This new breath is nothing less than the Holy Spirit. This Spirit of God breathes over the chaos of our hearts and brings forth the true beauty and love of human life. This abundant life is the deepest desire of every human heart, even of those who deny the meaning of Christmas. Indeed, the so-called Christmas Wars only reveals that the struggle between the light and darkness is a part of our own history. We already know the ultimate victory of Christ, the Light of the World. So we have no fear. Every effort we make to bring this good news into the culture of death, every effort to share the joy of Christ Advent is worth the energy and love we pour out.
(Quoted and adapted from Jeanne Kun)
Isaiah 9:7 reminds us that these sacrificial efforts are energized by the Lord who comes, “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.”
Isaiah 2:4 places our meager efforts in the context of the world wide struggle for justice and peace, “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.”
O Rex Gentium
O King of our desire whom we despise,
King of the nations never on the throne,
Unfound foundation, cast-off cornerstone,
Rejected joiner, making many one,
You have no form or beauty for our eyes,
A King who comes to give away his crown,
A King within our rags of flesh and bone.
We pierce the flesh that pierces our disguise,
For we ourselves are found in you alone.
Come to us now and find in us your throne,
O King within the child within the clay,
O hidden King who shapes us in the play
Of all creation. Shape us for the day
Your coming Kingdom comes into its own.
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