O Rex Gentium – O King of all nations! O Antiphons day 5

O Rex Gentium,et desideratus earum,lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem,quem de limo formasti.

O King of the Gentiles or Nations (O Rex Gentium): O King of the Gentiles, Desired of all, you are the cornerstone that binds two into one. Come, and save poor man whom you fashion out of clay.


O Rex Gentium: “O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.” Isaiah had prophesied, “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” (9:5), and “He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.” (2:4) .

Reflection

We live in confusing times. In a lot of ways it reminds me of the cold war back in the 60s and 70s, when we as a country would poke fun at the old Soviet Union for the propaganda they spread to their own people behind the iron curtain. That’s why the West established Radio Free Europe, so that the people in the Soviet Union could get some news from the outside world.

Now we are bombarded with signals from our government, health authorities, television, and social media about what is the best way to act and think.

But as Catholic Christians, we already know this. We know that the proper way to act, think, and lead always involves a cross and sacrifice of some kind.

Today we recognize Christ in His title of King because He did just that – accepted his cross and all the sacrifice that went with that, to show us what real leadership, in our communities and in our family, really entails.

How to Celebrate!

• Anything crown-related would be appropriate for today! I like this one because it’s super easy!
• Crown cake.
• Rex Gentium coloring page. 
• King Ranch Casserole – folks, this takes some work. But IT IS SO WORTH IT!
• Listen to Handel’s Messiah.

Updated 2021