Root of Jesse

“O Root of Jesse, who stood as a sign for the people, before you kings shall remain silent, and to you the Gentiles shall make supplication: come to deliver us, and delay not. Amen.”  ~ Antiphon for December 19^th

I had to do a little research to understand the reference to Jesse’s stump (or root). David is the son of Jesse. God promised that he would make a kingdom from David’s descendants. In the Babylonian exile, it was thought that the Davidic monarchy was eradicated. Hence, Jesse’s family tree was cut off. But Jesus is the shoot that springs from the stump of Jesse. Matthew’s genealogy proved that the line of David survived the Babylonian captivity. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise.

All things are possible with God. In today’s reading from the Book of Judges and from Luke’s gospel, a woman who was known to be barren, conceives and bears a son. The boy is to be consecrated to God from the womb. In the gospel, Zechariah is told that his wife, Elizabeth, will bear a son and he will be great in the sight of the Lord. John the Baptist will be born of her womb that was once barren and a source of disgrace before others. And while all things are possible with God, often we don’t understand his ways. Zechariah’s response is almost the same as Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel, yet Zechariah is made speechless and unable to talk until the birth of his son. Mary asks almost the exact same question, yet she is praised and reassured. “Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30) Why is Zechariah made mute and Mary is reassured?

 “O come, O Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan’s tyranny; from depths of hell thy people save, and give them victory o’er the grave.”  ~ Lyrics to O Come, O Come, Emmanuel