O Clavis David

O Key of David and Scepter of the House of Israel; you open and no man closes; you close and no man opens. Come, and deliver from the chains of prison those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Since the earliest days of the Church, Jesus has been viewed as the heir to the throne of David, thus his kingdom restored the Davidic dynasty of the House of Israel. For this reason, the Church is ruled as the Davidic Kingdom was ruled, with Christ as priest and king, and all authority and power in heaven and on earth at his disposal. Jesus himself used the idea of keys as symbols of authority and power when he said to St. Peter, "And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven." He could give St. Peter that authority because it was his to give. This authority has been passed in succession to all of those who occupy the Chair of St. Peter in the Diocese of Rome. Christ gives the Pope the authority to shepherd his flock on earth. This is why the Petrine ministry of the Pope has keys as its symbol.

But even deeper is this. Jesus is the key and the scepter himself. A key is necessary to unlock something, be it a door, or the correct answers to a test, or to reveal some mystery that is hidden. Christ unlocks the door to heaven. He is the answer to everything in heaven and on earth. He is the key to unlocking the mysteries hidden in the Old Testament. It is Christ the Key of David who opens and closes, for without Christ, the door remains locked, and the answers elude us. Without Christ, we are left in darkness unable to find our way. Without Christ we remain bound in our own prison, enslaved to sin and death.

So we pray, Christ, come to us. Be for us the key that unlocks the chains which bind and imprison us in the darkness which is sin and death. Save us by your power and might, and open for us the door which leads to peace.

Eternal light and sun of justice shine in all our darkness. Lord Jesus, come!