Breaking the Word

Tuesday of the Holy Week – 26^th March 2024 – Isaiah 49,1-6; Jn 13,21-33.36-38

Glorified Servant

Today’s first reading presents the second song of the Suffering Servant. It reminds us that the suffering servant has been called by God from before birth to fulfill the ministry of bringing the chosen people into a closer relationship with Yahweh. The suffering servant expresses that at times his mission has been in vain; he has spent all the strength without bringing people closer to God. Finally, the servant is glorified by God and becomes not only the means of saving the chosen people, but also the light to all nations.

This passage seems to apply to Jesus in a fitting manner. From the beginning of his birth, Jesus’ life purpose has been to draw people closer to God. He spent all his energy without much success and his work might seem to be in vain, especially as he nears the end of his life. Even those chosen by Jesus as his closest followers, his apostles are not as faithful as they say.  One will betray him, another will deny him thrice, and the rest will scatter as sheep without the shepherd. Yet, Jesus still reaches out to them in loving service. He realizes that even the most tragic events of His suffering and death would be the source of glorification of his Father and believes as means by which people will be saved and brought into the light of God.

Monday of the Holy Week – 25^th March 2024 – Isaiah 42,1-7; Jn 12,1-11

Astute Follower

In the first reading, the first song of the suffering servant reveals the servant who is chosen by God, who does what is pleasing to God and to be anointed by the Spirit. This anointing of the Servant occurred on the day of Jesus’ Baptism when John the Baptist saw the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus. The voice of the Father said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3,17).  This chosen servant is being anointed in today’s gospel by Mary of Bethany. The anointing of the Spirit at the baptism prepared Jesus for public ministry of teaching, healing the blind and lame, casting out demons, working miracles; the anointing of Mary is an immediate preparation for Jesus’ passion and death as the Suffering Servant. Jesus tells her that she has anointed him for his burial. It means that she had been an astute follower of Jesus. She must have heard either from Jesus directly, or from others the predictions that Jesus had made regarding his passion. Jesus commends her for lavishing her attention on him and tells the disciples that they should take after her example. Not only that, but he tells them that she will be remembered always for her act of kindness towards him, a sign of a greater good to put Jesus first, and to love him with all one has.