O Antiphon – O Key of David come free us
As we read the Book of Kings, it is startling to discover that even though they were lawful descendants of David, the constant refrain describing all but two of the kings reads: “He did evil in the sight of the Lord.” David himself sinned seriously yet to David belong the key and scepter of the House of Israel.
The Messiah is born of Mary of David’s lineage; Jesus holds the key to salvation and the scepter of power over sin and death.
The account of Jesus’ giving the keys of the kingdom to Peter was a sign of his leadership and his responsibility in the early Christian community. They were to be used to free people from the power of evil and the darkness of sin by revealing the love and mercy of God, who became one of us for our salvation.
As parent, teacher, administrator, what keys do you hold as your responsibility? How might you open others to the revelation of God’s merciful love through your words and actions?
O Key of David and Scepter of the House of Israel, you open and no one closes; you close and no one opens. Come, and deliver those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
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