I think it's safe to say that we as a culture have a problem with authority right now. Trust in our institutions — from government, through education, down to media and corporations — is at an all-time low. Perhaps this is why the theme of authority stood out to me when I was reflecting on … Continue reading O Rex Gentium: Questions of Authority
Today marks the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. This means that it's officially the season of Winter — though we've already had our share of below freezing weather and wintery precipitation: snow, sleet, freezing rain, ice pellets, and so on. And so today is a perfect day to … Continue reading Seasons and Cycles
Today's 'O Antiphon' addresses Christ as the Morning Star (alternately, the Rising Sun), reminding us that Jesus is the Light of the World, shining into the darkness, and that he is the one for whom we're patiently waiting, just as those in vigil await the sunrise in the East. O Morning Star, splendour of light … Continue reading O Oriens: Where am I pointed?
When we look at the writings of the prophets, we can run into danger if we over-spiritualize their words — and thereby let ourselves off the hook from their radical call for justice — or if we over-literalize them — and thereby limit the scope of their words to politics. (For as Jesus said, after … Continue reading O Clavis David: The God Who Frees
Today's 'O Antiphon' takes as its guiding image Isaiah's prophecy of the "branch of the root of Jesse (see Isa 11). The prayer reads: O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples; before you kings will shut their mouths, to you the nations will make their prayer: Come and deliver us, and … Continue reading O Radix Iesse: Never Too Late
Matthew Root 