Tuesday of Holy
Week
(Isaiah 49:1-6; John 13:21-33.36-38)
Christians see Jesus in the gospels as a teacher, healer,
and, ultimately, redeemer. Most
underappreciate him for whom the gospel writers took him to be. They understand Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s
promises in the Old Testament. He has
the faith of Abraham, the devotion of David, and the wisdom of Solomon. He also fits the description of the Suffering
Servant found in the second part of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. During Holy Week the Church features the four
songs or poetic passages that tell of this remarkable person.
Today’s first reading mentions that the Servant is named
and formed in the womb. He is predestined
to speak on God’s behalf. His work,
however, seems barely noticed except by God who promises to make a light to all
nations. The Suffering Servant may be
compared to Cordelia in Shakespeare’s play King
Lear. Cordelia speaks the truth in
love to hear father when the foolish man wants her to lavish praise on
him. For her discretion, the king
banishes Cordelia, but in the end her virtue is vindicated. She dies prematurely as she brings the old
king back to his senses.
Shakespeare intended Cordelia to be a figure of Christ as
is the Suffering Servant. Both help us to
understand the wonder of him who died cruelly that we might live eternally. Like Cordelia Christ always spoke the truth
in love. Like the Suffering Servant
Christ he has become the light revealing God’s love to all nations.
No comments:
Post a Comment