O Leader of the House of Israel...

Today we have the O Antiphon: "O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power."

Some translations say O Lord but the Lord was the Leader of the House of Israel. He had chosen Israel and made a covenant with his people. He led them to freedom but kept this stiff-necked group of people that he loved in the desert for forty years before leading them to the Promised Land. He gave them the Law of Moses, the ten commandments, on Mont Sinai and expected that all would keep his law. He went before his people in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. We pray today, "come to rescue us with your mighty power." It is a cry for help; we are sure of his power to help us and his unconditional love. What is it that we need to be rescued from today? In this season? In our busy, cluttered lives? Come, Lord, and free me from the expectations of others, from the entrapment of material things, from, above all, myself and instead keep me in Your Heart during these days of preparation for Your coming.