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O King of the Gentiles and the Desired of all, you are thecornerstone that binds two into one. Come, and save man whom youfashioned out of clay.
Isaiah 28:16: "Therefore, thus says the Lord God: See, I am layinga stone in Zion, a stone that has been tested, a precious cornerstone asa sure foundation".
Ephesians 2:14: "He it is who is our peace, and who made the two ofus one by breaking down the barrier of hostility that kept us apart".
The earlier antiphons have already alluded to the Messiah coming notonly to Israel but to convert the gentile nations and redeem themfor his own. Now this sixth antiphon clearly addresses the savior as theking of the gentiles (Jer.10:7) and the Desired One of the nations. The Messiah is the cornerstone on whom our spiritual foundations are laid,but on whom unbelievers stumble (Matt. 21:42). This cornerstone unitesand binds Jew and gentile into one, making peace between them.
The plea is that God save all humanity, all his creation that he formedfrom the dust of the earth (Gen.2:7). We yearn for him once againto breathe the breath of his new life into us.
Categories: Devotional, Liturgical Notes