O Radiant Dawn

“O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.”

Laudato si' – Praise be to you ~ O Radiant Dawn, O Rising Sun, O Morning Star!

You, O Rising Sun, are so much larger than our beautiful earth and we know we cannot live without you – we depend on you for life – O Rising Sun.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and you give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

O Radiant Dawn, O Rising Sun, O Morning Star! Why do I use three expressions to delight in this “O Antiphon”?  Because each speaks of light but with a nuance.

O Radiant Dawn: Over the years I am sure we have all experienced the awaiting of Dawn.  Maybe we had a night of pain, sorrow, dread of the unknown ahead, and eventually the dawn breaks and our hearts feel that they will be able to cope with what is ahead.  A new warmth comes into our hearts, and our hearts find new courage to face the next present moment.  Radiant Dawn – you are welcome.
May the increasing pollution of our earth never dim this radiant beauty for the generations yet to come.

O Rising Sun: Over the years we have experienced contemplative awe which fills one’s heart when watching the sunrise over the ocean, or over hills or fields ripe for the harvest or knocking gently on our very own Scriptorium windows or shimmering on the snow. One can only sit in silent wonder and praise God at that moment – as warmth continues to give us life.
May the increasing pollution of our earth never dim this gentle rising beauty for the generations to come.

O Morning Star: Over the years how often, with a longing beyond words, have we reflected on that simple sentence in 2 Peter – “…pay attention to the message….until the Day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts.”  How we long for that Star to rise and to shine in every corner of our being and know at last we are truly loved by Jesus.  There have been times when we have walked in darkness but then we have seen a great light; on us light has shone – and our hearts were made free. A Morning Star had risen within us and we felt the closeness of His warmth.
May the increasing pollution of our earth never dim this small, morning light and may it continue to shine, to encourage us, for the generations to come.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. If that sun did not rise, we would be no more. God set it in the dome of the sky – and he saw that it was good. O God, you have set your glory above the heavens.
But wait -                                       Someone else has been given these wonderous names.
Who is this Radiant Dawn, Rising Sun, Morning Star?

O Radiant Dawn, O Rising Sun, O Morning Star, Jesus, bright light, eternal dawn.

Sun of our life, your living ray sheds on our path the glow of day; you are the star of our hope and your gentle light makes light our darkest night.
Yes, you are our Sun, our Light, and the Light of the World, our Dawn and Morning Star, but how can we contain such radiance in our daily life?

“Reach out your hands and there you will hear me say -

“This is my body”

I who am the Light of the World, a radiant light for your path,
your journey to Eternal Life and the light who shines in your
hearts each day after you receive me from your cradled hands.”