O Adonai

O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai Mountain; Come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.

Today we invoke the primordial praise name of Adonai - the plural of Adon which is used in order to indicate the total fullness of divine sway and pointing to God as the Lord of lords. 

Fifteenth century usage of 'lord' and 'laird' seem to come from the same derivative as the one who was the ‘keeper of the loaves,’ someone who was responsible for the care and protection of his people.

Likewise, today's Antiphon points to a God who sets us free through a covenantal relationship (appearing to Moses) but also one who gave the laws (given on Sinai). 

The challenge we face is that we spend so much time with the image of the angry God who doles out the laws and subsequent retribution, we focus all our energies on trying to ‘please’ God by always doing it right.  But in actuality, it is when we do it wrong that we come face to face with the ever merciful God who desires to be in relationship with all of us.  Matter of fact that desire is so deep, God became incarnate to walk with us...to show us what it means to be human and to be in relationship with each other and God. 

So on this second day of the O Antiphons we remember the name: Adonai - the Lord, who deeply desires to be in our lives. Can you feel that presence today?    

 O come, O come, great Lord of might,

Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height

In ancient times once gave the law

In cloud and majesty and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.