MONDAY IN HOLY WEEK

Others* are offering or commenting on the Gospel today, so I shall take a quick look at the other lessons.

* Padre Mickey and Fr. Jake

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them. (Isaiah 42:1-9)

We often wonder if "new things" are even possible. Qoheleth proclaims that "there is nothing new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9) Then Deutero-Isaiah comes along to say, "Not so!" There are new possibilities and God is in the business of bringing forth what you never expected.

In world where so many are downtrodden, where there are billions of "bruised reeds" and "dimly burning wicks," we need a word of hope, that their lot is not merely to be crushed and extinguished. The servant of the Lord comes with promise, not with threat; with justice, not more oppression; with the opening of prison doors rather than the jarring sound of their clanging shut.

He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galations 6:9, KJV)

Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. (Hebrews 11:39-12:3)

Again the theme of perseverance is set before us (much as joy was set before Jesus for encouragement).

My sense is that many are entering Holy Week this year frazzled, exhausted, dispirited, ill, anxious about others whom they love. May we find new hope, new strength, new grace in this holy time and space. May we slow down and go deep within that there we may find the unconquerable Light shining in our darkness, the divine Life in the midst of our many deaths, abundant grace to heal our wounds and renew us, and Love that abides for ever.

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
--the BB