DAILY REFLECTION

Liturgical readings are available here.

The readings of the Holy Week offer us four poems from the Book the prophet Isaiah that describe the Servant of the Lord. He is never defined very precisely and it is gradually that we learn more and more about his identity. He incorporates prophetic and royal characteristics: his word is heard (as of a prophet) and he rules (as a king).

First, it seems that the entire nation of Israel is meant (as a collective personality) to exercise the office of speaking and ruling. Eventually it becomes more and more clear that there is an individual to accomplish the mission from God.

The NT sees a direct link between these texts from Isaiah and the life of Jesus. The baptism story mentions: the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Luk 3:22) which is an echo of the text from Isaiah: Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations.

The servant listens first and then he communicates God’s message. While God’s word needs to be announced, there must always be a moment of listening first, lest we proclaim our words and not God’s words. The Holy Week can be a week of silence for us, because God often talks in silence.