Let us reflect on Isaiah (First Reading at Mass)
Isaiah 50:4-9

As with the reading yesterday, once again Our Lord Jesus Christ is addressing

us in the first person.   This is always a reminder to be aware that we are being addressed personally and as the Church.   For the purpose of individual reflection, we know that we are being spoken to in the context of a personal relationship.   Saint Bernadette spoke of Our Lady addressing to her as one person speaks to another.

In the first place we are brought into the relationship that the Lord Jesus has with HIs Father.   Nothing that could be for our true good is hidden from us.   We are first made aware of what the Father is doing, that He takes the initiative, waking His servant at the beginning of a new day – the Servant even seems to be made to listen.   As Jesus was addressed by the Father so we too are addressed by Him.   As He was given to  listen, so too are we.   Do I presume that I am always open and listening, or do I make some effort to be quiet as I begin to reflect and pray?   As the Servant listened in the morning, before the distractions of the activities of our day encroached, do I pray at a time when I am able to focus on The Lord and His Word?

The Lord listens in order to  reply to the wearied.   A tired person may well be rebellious and angry.   Being wearied is one of the consequences of the Fall, the pains in childbearing and of hard labour (Genesis 3:16-17), also the struggle of the Exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land representing our journey through life.   The Lord’s message is to people who are fallen, harassed by life, that is to all of us in some way or at some time.   In my weariness, am I disposed to listen to the message of the Gospel, or do I behave like Thomas and refuse to believe (John 20:25)?  Do I tend to despair when the trials of life seem to get the better of me?   Am I like Peter who thinks he knows better than the Lord (Mark 8:22)?

The Lord’s message that we trust, love and be humble before the Father when we are attacked and spontaneously want to fight back may not be acceptable.   Do we first of all have the will to follow Christ’s example of not turning away from the situation

(verse 5)?  Are we ready to be faithful to the Lord and His Gospel even when we are rejected?  In order to remain in the realm of reality as we reflect on these questions it would be helpful to recall concrete examples from our lives to support our answers.

Let us also notice that the Lord comes to His Servant’s help (verse 7) in unexpected ways – being untouched by insults.   The more we engage with the Gospel in our lives, the more likely we are to face opposition and encounter suffering.   As Mary followed her Son it led her to Calvary where she had to watch Him being tortured to death but she was given the strength to  stand  at the foot of the Cross.  Let us remember that we too can experience the wonder of the Lord’s help to the extent that we are prepared to suffer for Him.

Father Paul Anthony Horrocks
Chaplain at the Lourdes Sanctuary

Lord, may I never allow myself to be so distracted by the events of life that I subtly reject the ability you give me to listen to your Word.   Help me to follow Your Son’s teaching in my weariness even when my weaker nature wants to rebel.   Ma I never despair of Your powerful help amidst the trials of life.

Let us pray the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.