The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to extend our spiritual life as “Suffering Servant” who can focus generously and see the person who stands in front of us.
The reading from the Prophet Isaiah introduces, the Servant, a Light to the Nations.
* [42:1–4] Servant: three other passages have been popularly called “servant of the Lord” poems: 49:1–7; 50:4–11; 52:13–53:12. Whether the servant is an individual or a collectivity is not clear (e.g., contrast 49:3 with 49:5). More important is the description of the mission of the servant. In the early Church and throughout Christian tradition, these poems have been applied to Christ; cf. Mt 12:18–21.
* [42:3] Bruised reed…: images to express the gentle manner of the servant’s mission.
* [42:4] Coastlands: for Israel, the world to the west: the islands and coastal nations of the Mediterranean. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 42 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 27 is a triumphant Song of Confidence.
* [Psalm 27] Tradition has handed down the two sections of the Psalm (Ps 27:1–6; 7–14) as one Psalm, though each part could be understood as complete in itself. Asserting boundless hope that God will bring rescue (Ps 27:1–3), the psalmist longs for the presence of God in the Temple, protection from all enemies (Ps 27:4–6). In part B there is a clear shift in tone (Ps 27:7–12); the climax of the poem comes with “I believe” (Ps 27:13), echoing “I trust” (Ps 27:3). (Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Mary Anoints Jesus.
* [12:1–8] This is probably the same scene of anointing found in Mk 14:3–9 (see note there) and Mt 26:6–13. The anointing by a penitent woman in Lk 7:36–38 is different. Details from these various episodes have become interchanged.
* [12:3] The feet of Jesus: so Mk 14:3; but in Mt 26:6, Mary anoints Jesus’ head as a sign of regal, messianic anointing.
* [12:5] Days’ wages: literally, “denarii.” A denarius is a day’s wage in Mt 20:2; see note on Jn 6:7.
* [12:7] Jesus’ response reflects the rabbinical discussion of what was the greatest act of mercy, almsgiving or burying the dead. Those who favored proper burial of the dead thought it an essential condition for sharing in the resurrection. (John, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)
Michael Kavan comments that John’s reading is a somber presage of Jesus’ suffering, death, and burial, and it is easy to dwell on this. However, we were all baptized into his death at baptism, and just as we join Jesus in his suffering and death, so, too, are we linked to his resurrection and into a new life with Christ.
Let us take heart in knowing that no matter the suffering we experience in life, it is our belief in Jesus and our preparation for and faithful witnessing of his resurrection that provides guidance and hope. As we enter spring, a favorable forecast awaits - If we believe, prepare, and follow Jesus in a manner like Mary, with love, devotion, and humility, then we will be blessed with life everlasting. (Kavan, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “God first loved us,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Fulfill the commandments out of love. Could anyone refuse to love our God, so abounding in mercy, so just in all His ways? Could anyone deny love to Him Who first loved us despite all our injustice and all our pride? Could anyone refuse to love God Who so loved us as to send His only Son not only to live among human beings but also to be put to death for their sake and at their own hands?." (excerpt from Catechetical Instructions 39) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 12:1-11 invites us to let the fragrance of Mary’s perfume linger over us this week as well. Along with the incense offered at Mass on the Easter Vigil, let it draw our hearts upward to the Lord in worship and gratitude.
But don’t stop there. Our celebration of Holy Week engages all of our senses, so savor every bit of it! Let the taste of the Bread of Life and the Wine of Salvation take you back to the tension and sadness of the Last Supper. Open your ears in a new way to a familiar chant or hymn so that you hear it as if it were the first time. Let the starkness of the sanctuary on Good Friday, followed by the dramatic shift from darkness to light at the Easter Vigil, help you experience the radiant glory of the risen Lord. Let every part of your surroundings help you marvel at the love of Jesus poured out for you.
In all of this, try to imitate Mary as you express your love and gratitude to the Lord. Lift him up in worship, and let him lift you up with his grace.
“Lord, help me to walk with you this Holy Week!” (Meditation on John 12:1-11, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses the four Songs of the Suffering Servant that are presented in Holy Week from Deutero-Isaiah and introduces a mysterious figure that Jesus references along with “the Son of Man” from the Book of Daniel. The suffering servant as a light to the nations is the initial reference to the universalism of God in Jewish theology. Friar Jude comments on the message in the Gospel about seeing the person in front of us when we are doing charitable work.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments on how experiencing loss creates opportunities to practice releasing our attachments to who we think we are.
Anything less than the death of the false self is useless religion. The manufactured false self must die for the true self to live, or as Jesus himself puts it, “Unless I go, the Spirit cannot come” (John 16:7). Theologically speaking, Jesus (a good individual person) had to die for the Christ (the universal presence) to arise. This is the universal pattern of transformation. [4] (Rohr, n.d.)
We implore the Wisdom of the Spirit to enlighten our understanding of how to learn about fullness of life from the “Suffering Servant” and the celebration of the individual people who we encounter daily.
References
Isaiah, CHAPTER 42 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/42?1
John, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/12?1
Kavan, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/041425.html
Meditation on John 12:1-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/04/14/1247451/
Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/27?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Releasing into New Life. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/releasing-into-new-life/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Extravagant Love for Jesus. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=apr14
No comments:
Post a Comment