Tuesday, April 12, 2022

 Tuesday of Holy Week

(Isaiah 49:1-6; John 13:21-33.36-38)

Few prophecies foreshadow Jesus’ experience better than the four “Servant Songs” of Isaiah.  Found in the second part of the Book of the Prophet, they are relayed systematically in the liturgies of Holy Week.  The first song or oracle, read yesterday, echoes the voice of God. It says that his servant will bring justice to the whole world by mercy, not by violence.  In the second, proclaimed today, the prophet himself relates how he once felt discouraged.  Then God’s voice lifted his spirits.  It declared that through him not only Israel but all nations will be reconciled with God.

In the third song, read in Palm Sunday’s mass, the prophet again speaks.  He describes how he endured trials to proclaim the will of God.  The final song is reserved for Good Friday’s service.  It summarizes the work of the prophet: of humble origins, the prophet took on the sins of the world by his suffering and death. Certainly, all four evangelists had the “Servant Songs” in mind when composed the story of Jesus Christ.  They emphasized how the events of Jesus’ life and especially his death correspond to the experiences of this prophet.

Who is the person of whom the Book of the Prophet Isaiah speaks?  Scholars have different theories.  Some say Jeremiah; others. the author of the second part of Isaiah’s book; still others, the suffering people of Israel, a composite person.  Although each of these positions can be defended with ample texts, for us the question is mostly academic.  For us Jesus, better than anyone else possibly could, personifies God’s Servant.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Wednesday of Holy Week

(Isaiah 5:4-9a; Matthew 26:14-25)

In discerning the best candidate for president, people necessarily have a profile in mind.  They will look for someone who can inspire cooperation.  They will want a person who will act morally.  And they will insist that the candidate’s position on issues conform to their basic values.  The first reading today gives, at least in part, a profile of what to look for in the savior that God has promised.

The passage is taken from the second part of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.  It is one of four so-called “Servant Songs” that describes God’s servant or, as some translation have it, son.  We see each of these passages during the liturgies of Holy Week. The Servant of God works for justice in a humble way (Monday’s Eucharist).  His becomes a light to all the nations of the earth (yesterday’s mass).  And he is spurned, even reviled by some (today’s reading).  Finally, his face will be so marred that some will find it unbearable to look at although acceptance of him means salvation (Good Friday’s liturgy).

In reflecting on these passages, we easily see Jesus.  He does not save us through military prowess as if what troubles us mostly were political oppression.  Rather he teaches us by both word and example a way how to overcome our sinfulness.  More importantly, he depletes evil of its power in the struggle on the cross.  There he overcomes the arrogance of the Romans, the jealousy of the Jewish leaders, the spinelessness of the people, and our own covetousness.  The fruit of his victory is reflected in the saints through the ages.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Tuesday of Holy Week

(Isaiah 49:1-6; John 13:21-33.36-38)

The liturgies of Holy Week feature the four sections of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah known as the “Servant Songs.” A part of the third song was presented at mass on Sunday, the first song yesterday, and the second song today. Tomorrow the whole third song will be heard and in Friday’s service, the fourth. Many Jews see the nation of Israel, which has suffered dreadful persecutions through the centuries, as the celebrated “Suffering Servant.” But with no less reason Christians see the Servant as a prototype of Jesus, who lays down his life for others.

Today’s second song tells of how the Servant, like Jesus, is named in his mother’s womb. He is called to bring Judah and Israel back together as Jesus chose twelve apostles to reunite the twelve tribes of Israel. The prophecy that the Servant is a “sharp-edged sword” anticipates Jesus’ preaching dividing the people not along tribal, national, or racial lines but according to who accept him as God’s definitive revelation and who find his words too challenging to follow. Finally, as the Servant’s authority is not to be confined to Israel but will become a light to all nations so have Jesus’ teachings enlightened the world.

The Servant Songs reveal God’s mysterious plan of salvation. God does not bring the world together by force of arms or even through a universal philosophy. Rather He spreads His fatherly love to all humanity through the preaching of Jesus Christ. We accept God’s plan by letting go of a corrupt desire to dominate others and by foregoing the frivolous count of how many countries have a Catholic majority. No, it is giving of ourselves daily in loving obedience to the Lord that we become part of God’s plan.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Tuesday of Holy Week

(Isaiah 49:1-6; John 13:21-33.36-38)

During Holy Week each year we recall the four sections of the second part of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah known as the “Servant Songs.” We heard a small section of the third “Servant Song” on Sunday, the first song yesterday, and the second song today. Tomorrow we will listen to the whole third song and on Friday, the last “Servant Song.” The “Servant Songs” prefigure Jesus, God’s beloved son, who humbly lays down his life for others.

Today’s second song tells of how Jesus is named in his mother’s womb. We remember the words of Gabriel to Mary at the Annunciation that Jesus was to be called “Son of the Most High.” The prophet’s words that the servant is to be a “sharp-edged sword” remind us of Jesus’ preaching which divides the people into those who would accept him as God’s definitive revelation and those who find his words too much to bear. Finally, we believe that the prophecy of the servant’s authority not being confined to Israel but becoming a light to all nations is fulfilled as the apostles spread the name of Jesus throughout the world.

The Servant Songs reveal God’s plan of salvation. God has not chosen to bring the world together by force of arms or through a universal philosophy. Rather, He spreads His fatherly love to all humanity through the preaching of Jesus Christ. We accept God’s plan by letting go of desire to dominate others and by foregoing the count of how many countries are Catholic or what percentage of a population goes to church on Sundays. No, it is giving of ourselves daily in loving obedience to the Lord that we become part of God’s plan.

Homilette for March 19, 2008

Wednesday of Holy Week

(Isaiah 50:4-9a)

Often enough Christians meditate only on the gospel reading at Mass showing little interest in the readings from other parts of the Bible. Of course, this is like running with blinders. The non-gospel books of the Bible provide privileged sources of understanding the accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Few passages of Scripture give better context for appreciating Jesus passion than the four so-called Servant Songs which we read on Monday, Tuesday, today Wednesday, and Friday of Holy Week. These passages are taken from the work of an unnamed prophet who is called “Second Isaiah” because his writings are attached to those of the great prophet of Judah. Second Isaiah lived in Babylon with other exiled Jews. He recognized his call from God to preach to the people about the wonderful deliverance God was about to work on their behalf. Second Isaiah’s writings comprise much of the middle part of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. They appear to be autobiographical telling how the prophet has suffered on behalf of the people.

But what Second Isaiah says about his own trials we can apply, with greater relevance, to Jesus. In today’s Servant Song, for example, we remember how Jesus communicates with God in prayer, how both Jews and Gentiles beat and spit upon him during his trials, and how God vindicates him when the persecution ends in his death. The Servant Songs announce a completely new form of messianism. No longer is the Messiah a sword-wielding conqueror of armies. Rather, he defeats evil by patiently taking upon himself the sins of others. We certainly understand Jesus in this way.