This is the second of our series of short messages on each of the Great Advent Antiphons, used on the last seven days of advent.
Wednesday 18th December
O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,
who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush
and gave him the law on Sinai:
Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.
Adonai is a form of the Hebrew word adon, which means to rule. We are hoping for a ruler like the one whose actions are described in Isaiah 11 v 3&4:
‘He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.’
This ruler will not be deceived by appearances and gossip, but will be guided by righteousness and justice on behalf of the poor and needy.