O Sapientia
O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, pervading and permeating all creation, mightily ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.
Reading: Daniel 2:27–45
There is a painting called Age of Augustus, Birth of Christ, commissioned to flatter Emperor Napoleon III of France. Augustus Caesar sits high under olive branches in the temple of Janus, praised by all nations, while the infant Jesus lays in straw below, ignored by almost all. This world in its own wisdom attempts to construct a kingdom of iron and clay that always falls apart, but God who foresees all—who carved the stone, Jesus Christ, from the flesh of the virgin Mary—at the proper time established Christ’s kingdom, the mountain that will last forever.
Prayer: Almighty God, in Your wisdom You build up and tear down rulers and kingdoms, and none can withstand Your mighty ordering. Be merciful to us and direct all things to our salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn TLH 26:4
God the Almighty, the great Creator,
Ruler of sky and land and sea,
All things ordained, and sooner or later
They come to pass unfailingly.
His rule is over rich and poor,
His promise ever standeth sure.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
(Christopher Antonetti, Sem IV)
