O Root of Jesse, who stands for an ensign before the
people, before whom kings are mute and to whom the gentiles shall seek: Come
quickly to deliver us.
It was some years ago, on one of his visits to my home that my
father walked in the door and in his usual gruff way said, "Here, the
creek gave her to me. You can have her." And abruptly he handed me a small
sapling he brought from the home where I grew up in Pennsylvania. Since then it
has grown into a flourishing dogwood that graces our backyard with flowers in
the spring and orangey fall color.
I am not alone as a recipient of my father's trees. My sister has a
cherry tree that yields enough for pies and jam every year and another sister
has grape vines that yield an abundance of fruit. My father's gait is now slow
and unsteady which prevents him from walking along that creek among his beloved
trees and the quality of his memory matches the morning fog that often collects
in the valley. But my father's life and
lineage is deeply rooted in our home - exhibited in my children and
memorialized in that gifted tree I see outside my window.
Today's O Antiphon reminds us that the lineage of Jesus comes from
the root of Jesse. I wonder what characteristics he inherited. What gestures?
How about his eyes, his hair color and his manner of speaking? But even more so, God created all of us in
God's image. So what has God passed on
to you? What traits? What characteristics? Do you spend more time
making God to be in your image, versus recognizing the God who has crafted you,
planted you, nurtured you and loves you?
The orange leaves have fallen off the dogwood in my backyard but
its deep roots will nurture it through the winter. Where are your roots firmly
planted?
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
