O Key of David

O Key of David, and Scepter of the house of Israel, you open and no one can close, and you close and no one can open: come and bring the prisoners out of the prison, those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
Judges 13:2-7, 24-25; Psalm 71:1-8; Luke 1:5-25

Today's O comes from Isaiah 22:22: "I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and no one shall shut; he shall shut, and no one shall open."
But this is the week to really be with the Gospels.  I've spent this Advent with Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist.  She is for me the hidden connector between the characters in the Nativity, being of Aaron's lineage and related to Mary, who is engaged to Joseph.  She links also to the long line of "barren women" who suffered social ostracism and economic insecurity as a result of their childlessness.  Like John, Samson was born to a woman who had no children.  Like John he was promised to God, to "begin to deliver Israel" (Judges 13:5).  Like John he was a bit of a wild man, not part of the orderly hierarchy.
But the line of promise goes further back.  Sarah and Hannah share with Elizabeth the surprise of new life when it seems impossible.  As Gabriel will tell Mary, "nothing shall be impossible with God."
Zechariah can't take in the news.  He is silenced, barren of speech.  From here on out, Elizabeth will move from the margins to the center, proclaiming God's word.  Her barrenness is ended, whether she bears a child or not.
These are your choices today.  Will you let yourself be filled with promise?  Will you speak what you hear?  Or will you be silenced by your doubts and fears?  "Do not be afraid."
In the end, I guess this does connect to the antiphon.  What God opens, no one can shut.  Wombs are filled, and give birth to new life.  What God closes, no one can open.  Mouths with no good news to share stop speaking (even if sounds come out).
Pray for opening!