The antiphon
Some stress 'all', surely indicating that all people of the world irrespective of their beliefs are blessed by Christ. But some stress the same word with a different intent or meaning: all people, in spite of their varied beliefs, will be graciously blessed by Him! The latter is surely a very mean approach.
Then there are some who stress the word 'nations', I suppose indicating all authority and groups, not just individuals. Some emphasise the word 'blessed', indicating the gifts He showers. Others stress 'in him', which I figure is in a way reviving the pre-Vatican understanding that only through Christ, can any good come about!
Whatever be the original intent of the author, one simple sentence can be interpreted in a thousand ways. But I suppose the Lord who knows our minds, and hears our prayers, is gracious to bless us all.
All the nations shall be blessed in himis one that recurs very frequently this Christmastide. And I could not but observe the stress laid on different words by the members of the community. I may be reading too much into the semantics of this simple prayer we have been reciting practically every morning for the past two weeks, but nonetheless can't get it out of my head everytime I hear this.
Some stress 'all', surely indicating that all people of the world irrespective of their beliefs are blessed by Christ. But some stress the same word with a different intent or meaning: all people, in spite of their varied beliefs, will be graciously blessed by Him! The latter is surely a very mean approach.
Then there are some who stress the word 'nations', I suppose indicating all authority and groups, not just individuals. Some emphasise the word 'blessed', indicating the gifts He showers. Others stress 'in him', which I figure is in a way reviving the pre-Vatican understanding that only through Christ, can any good come about!
Whatever be the original intent of the author, one simple sentence can be interpreted in a thousand ways. But I suppose the Lord who knows our minds, and hears our prayers, is gracious to bless us all.
No comments:
Post a Comment