During this sacred time of Holy Week, we may be tempted to fall into a pattern of ‘knowing’ the stories and rituals, and thus move on automatic pilot through the week. After all, we Christians have prayerfully reflected on these events throughout our lives.
Isaiah contains four so-called “Servant Songs”, three of which will be the topics of our Daily Reflections for the next three days. Today’s first song (Isaiah 42:1-7) explains the call of the Servant. He serves the Lord. He is upheld by the Lord. He delights the Lord. And the Spirt of the Lord is upon him. This Servant is sent to bring justice to all nations. This Servant will be a kind of Messianic king—one who will come to free the people from oppression and establish the reign of justice. His justice is tempered with mercy. The text says He does not break the crushed reed, nor quench the wavering flame. He does not come to crush, but to rescue those who are oppressed and broken. This Servant will open the eyes of the blind, free captives from prison, and those who live in darkness from the dungeon.
Two features of today’s Servant passage stand out for me. First, the Servant is appointed by God. Repeatedly, the prophet emphasizes how God has called the Servant for His particular mission. The Servant is not a lone ranger with a good idea, rather he is appointed to his role by the only ultimately legitimate authority: God himself. This aspect of the Servant is crucial for us who are trying to model our own lives after the pattern of Jesus. Jesus was sent, appointed, called by God. We too need to find God’s calling for our own lives. The meaning of our work, our family relationships, our role in this world is derived from God’s calling on our lives. Second, the Servant is approved by God. The Lord not only calls him, but he delights in him. The Lord is pleased with his Servant.
As I read through today’s scriptures, initially I found myself feeling very familiar with the passages. I was again caught off guard by Jesus’ response to Judas’ challenge regarding the better use of money for the poor that selling the oils might bring (John 12:1-11), rather than the use of oils by Mary to anoint Jesus’ feet: “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
What a shocking statement! The scriptures are written to tell the good news of Jesus’ life, to help us know and remember who and what Jesus was and the message of God’s unconditional love for us. But why this particular passage? It doesn’t seem to ‘fit’ the Jesus of compassion that we know in word and in action throughout his life. And why include it in the Monday of Holy Week scriptures? Certainly, the first reading from Isaiah is more in keeping with my understanding of Jesus as God’s servant and God’s covenant with us.
As I prayed, reflected, and read other’s theological insights on today’s scripture, I began to ‘see’ this passage in a new light. Instead of getting caught by the ‘you always have the poor with you’, I reflected on Mary’s anointing of Jesus. This was a time when many people began to believe in Jesus’ message following the raising of Lazarus from the dead. In fact, the now re-living Lazarus was present during this scene. But this was also the time when there was a growing movement against Jesus among the religious leaders. Some leaders were even plotting to kill Lazarus again, as people were more focused on his miraculous resurrection rather than on the importance of the religious leaders and their teachings. Jesus and Mary seem to have realized the dangers: “Let her keep this for the day of my burial…you will not always have me [with you]”.
Now this scene makes sense! Jesus’s comments are not about discounting the poor and our need to help them! Today’s passage is preparing us for Jesus’ impending death!
How are we entering into this sacred time? Where and how will we continue to live the ‘Jesus’ story in our lives this week and next week and into the next weeks and months and years?
As our Lenten journey moves into the sacred Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, I pray that I/we may be open to the scripture stories and the season’s rituals with new eyes and new ears. I pray that I/we will allow God’s spirit and movement in us and through us so that the person of Jesus will be witnessed in our actions and words–to ‘be’ God’s presence in our midst.
May God Bless You and Grant You His Peace!