All we hear about is abuse of a good man: beatings, beard-plucking, buffeting, spitting in today’s first Reading (Isaiah 50:4-7)? There doesn’t seem to be much “Good News” … which I can apply to me and my daily life.
Actually, you will hear more than that – and the Good News – if you focus on what the Servant did to encounter all of this opposition. First of all, one of his gifts from God is an ability to speak movingly. But to whom does he speak? “To the weary”! It is the ordinary, marginalised person who is the recipient of attention, as the compassionate Servant tries to support them and encourage them with the truth of God’s abiding presence with them.
The second piece of “Good News” comes when we remember that the Disciple (the “Servant” in this prophecy) is called to be like the Master. The Servant listens every morning for God’s word, and God does indeed speak to him every morning. This is where he receives the “word” that he passes along. It is this word that builds up “the weary.”
The Christian community sees this prophecy as being fulfilled in Jesus Christ. As his Disciples, we are called to acquire the same attitude. We start – in fact we must start our day by listening to the Lord. “He who is ignorant of scripture is ignorant of Christ.” When we listen, He will indeed speak to our hearts; but it is up to us to make this daily time to listen. Then we will hear the words of support that we need to carry out into a weary world, to those who are truly in need around us. You, too, may be buffeted and abused because of your efforts to bring the Good News to others, or your efforts to confront the social injustice that causes or accentuates poverty and/or marginalisation.
Rejoice in your suffering! Because “My servant will be there too, You, too, may be buffeted and abused because of your efforts to bring the Good News to others, or your efforts to confront the social injustice that causes or accentuates poverty and/or marginalisation. Rejoice in your suffering! Because the prophet says later (v. 9), “The Lord comes to my help! So that I am untouched by the insults?”
This First Reading is one of the four Servant Songs which proclaim the meaning of Jesus’ Passion. His suffering and death – for us and our salvation – was redemptive. We are called to participate in this mystery of redemptive suffering, by taking up our cross and following his example. But first we listen to him and build up our faith.
Actually, you will hear more than that – and the Good News – if you focus on what the Servant did to encounter all of this opposition. First of all, one of his gifts from God is an ability to speak movingly. But to whom does he speak? “To the weary”! It is the ordinary, marginalised person who is the recipient of attention, as the compassionate Servant tries to support them and encourage them with the truth of God’s abiding presence with them.
The second piece of “Good News” comes when we remember that the Disciple (the “Servant” in this prophecy) is called to be like the Master. The Servant listens every morning for God’s word, and God does indeed speak to him every morning. This is where he receives the “word” that he passes along. It is this word that builds up “the weary.”
The Christian community sees this prophecy as being fulfilled in Jesus Christ. As his Disciples, we are called to acquire the same attitude. We start – in fact we must start our day by listening to the Lord. “He who is ignorant of scripture is ignorant of Christ.” When we listen, He will indeed speak to our hearts; but it is up to us to make this daily time to listen. Then we will hear the words of support that we need to carry out into a weary world, to those who are truly in need around us. You, too, may be buffeted and abused because of your efforts to bring the Good News to others, or your efforts to confront the social injustice that causes or accentuates poverty and/or marginalisation.
Rejoice in your suffering! Because “My servant will be there too, You, too, may be buffeted and abused because of your efforts to bring the Good News to others, or your efforts to confront the social injustice that causes or accentuates poverty and/or marginalisation. Rejoice in your suffering! Because the prophet says later (v. 9), “The Lord comes to my help! So that I am untouched by the insults?”
This First Reading is one of the four Servant Songs which proclaim the meaning of Jesus’ Passion. His suffering and death – for us and our salvation – was redemptive. We are called to participate in this mystery of redemptive suffering, by taking up our cross and following his example. But first we listen to him and build up our faith.
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