Antiphons in the Darkness: O Rex Gentium

O King of Nations and their Desire; the Cornerstone, who makest both one: Come and save mankind, whom thou formedst of clay.

Before it is remotely usable, a pot must be fired to make it strong. Until then, it must sit and wait in the darkness of the kiln awaiting strengthening so that its form can be fixed. Human beings, formed of the dust of the earth, wait in darkness for the time of their transformation from things of clay to things of Eternity. In this darkness rage two wars, the external war for power and the internal war for desire. As society claims its authority over us, so do our own wants claim authority over us, and the two seldom meet up. What we desire most, the law might forbid. What the law requires, we may desire the least. The fire that Christ gives is that of the Holy Spirit to burn in our hearts, giving us the opportunity to focus all our desire for the kingship of Christ. Worldly Authority claims what it can't have, and Worldly Desire promises that which it cannot give. We become peculiar people when we reject both Power and Desire and seek first the kingdom of God, concentrating our gaze upon our own fragility and praying for transformation. We become a people peculiar to God, and such peculiarity will be seen as we shine forth in a dark world with God's marvellous light.