The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; And I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let him confront me. See, the Lord GOD is my help; who will prove me wrong?
We must taste the bitter if we are to enjoy the sweet. Scripture, on this last day before the beginning of the Triduum, allows us to see what will happen to us if we choose to follow Christ’s mission. This passage sets the tone for what begins tomorrow evening with the feast of the Lord’s Supper. In this passage Isaiah is describing the humble ministry of Christ as the suffering servant. Isaiah describes his mission to “…speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.” Who are the weary? The weary are those who at times turn away from Christ, those who do not fully believe that God has his hand in every second of our life. We are ALL the” weary” in whom this passage is referring to. But what is the “word” that will rouse us? It is our hope in God.
Isaiah feels the pains of humiliation and persecution that he undergoes for the sake of God’s word. Those he loves turn away from him, but he somehow finds strength, he is steadfast in the mission that God gave him because of his faith in God. Like Isaiah we will be condemned if we choose to follow Christ, we may lose hope at times. In the midst of all pain and suffering which this decision might incur, we must remember that in the midst of it, the fight has already been fought. A man moved by love and compassion, offered himself as a sacrifice in our place. Like Isaiah we do not deserve or earn the humiliation that we receive for being Christians. But just as Isaiah, we are called to love, serve, honor, and obey the One who gives us hope and saved us.
CHALLENGE: Take a few minutes after mass or communion this weekend to really think of the sacrifice that we were just brought into. Meditate on Christ resting inside of you and the strength that he has just bestowed on you through the Eucharist. Thank Him in a new way for all that he has given you and ask Him to reveal to you the mission he has for in his plan of salvation. Do you
have the strength to boldly speak to the “weary” about Christ in today’s world?
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