O Radix Jesse! or O Root of Jesse’s Stem!
O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum,
super quem continebunt reges os suum,
quem gentes deprecabuntur:
veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.
O Flower of Jesse’s stem,
you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples;
kings stand silent in your presence;
the nations bow down in worship before you.
Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.
From the Lectionary Cycle:
Radix Iesse, stans in signum populorum:
veni ad liberandum nos, iam noli tardare.
O Root of Jesse’s stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!
From the Hymn:
Veni, O Iesse virgula, ex hostis tuos ungula,
de spectu tuos tartari educ et antro barathri.
O Come, Thou Rod of Jesse’s stem,
from ev’ry foe deliver them
that trust Thy mighty power to save,
and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
Today the Church draws us to remember Christ’s Royal and powerful Lineage, that of Jesse in the fact of Christ as supreme ruler and king. That at the end of the age, Christ will gather all together. The verses of this antiphon appear not only in the Veni, but also have their own song inspired by it. “Lo How a Rose Ere Blooming.” I have included a nice rendition for your below. The means of our salvation is Jesus on the Cross. Jesus has put down the mighty from their thrones and has exalted the lowly. He is the one who came to draw all to Himself. All nations will beseech His mercy, forsaking earthly kings and turning to the King of Kings. We remember he, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah who will come to set us free of our sin and save us to be his forever. So today we join with the church in praying to that root of Jesse’s tree, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, that he will deliver us from our enemies and save us with his mighty power. Come Lord and do not delay!!
Scriptural References for today’s Antiphon:
Isaiah 52:15
Romans 15:12
I hope that you’re enjoying the Chant texts as much as I have been!
Walking The Way of Beauty 