O Come, O Come: O Lord

As the antiphons progress they become more specific. This week’s antiphon speaks of how the Lord revealed himself to Moses at the burning bush by giving his name and later how he revealed his character through the Law on Mount Sinai. The antiphon reads,

“O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

This week is a two for one installation. We have poems written by myself and Sierra Smith as well as visual art produced by Claudia Plybon and Sarah Stone.

Sierra Smith has written a poem in response to the antiphon and has used a specific form to shape her response. Can you tell what poetic form she has used? Here’s Claudia Plybon’s calligraphy of Sierra’s poem to help you. You may listen to Ed Pilkington read Sierra’s poem via the player below it.

Next is my sonnet on the same antiphon.

From Sinai's bush which blazed in holy fire
You answered, “I AM!” Gave Moses your name,
And promised your arm would reach, never tire
’Til you saved your son from slav’ry and shame.

And even while gath’ring the bread sent each day
Sheltered beneath Sinai’s thundering peak,
The people yet complain, reject, and stray
From HIM WHO IS, deliv’er of the weak.

O Lord, redeem! My arms cannot bear
The doing demands of performance lords,
Nor can avoid the tangle of sin’s snare
I'm trapped by desire, cupidity’s cords.

Baring his arm I AM reached to the lost
By taking the wood of manger and cross.

You may listen to Ed Pilkington read the sonnet via the player below.

Below are two pictures by Grace Kernersville artist, Sarah Stone. There are a couple of things to note regarding the image. Firstly, notice how the light in the building’s foyer where the picture was taken and how the camera impact the the color of the image. This is important to note and is interesting. You never see the same painting the same way twice. Secondly notice the cross. Sarah made a mosaic using the pieces of a compact disc. Can you see how the light is refracted by cd’s surface? That was something I only noticed after looking at the picture.

Thanks for reading and have a blessed advent!