Word to the Wise
Wednesday, April 4, 2007 - Wednesday of Holy Week
[Isaiah 50:4-9A and Matthew 26:14-25]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.
In the second part of the Book of Isaiah (known in biblical study as Deutero-Isaiah - Chaps 40-55), there are four poems that are known as the "Songs of the Suffering Servant." There are varying interpretations of whom this figure is literally meant to represent. The Christian community, however, immediately found these songs to be a prophecy concerning Jesus. All four of these "songs" are read at the liturgy during Holy Week. The final one which is read on Good Friday is almost eerie in its portrayal of sufferings of the "servant" which resemble so closely what happened to Jesus. I found myself thinking of them when I saw the movie THE PASSION several years ago. I urge my "listeners" to read all four of these "songs" during this week. At the Dominican priory of San Marcos in Florence one will find the incredible art of the Dominican artist, Fra Angelico (Bl. John of Fiesole, OP). It is in the form of frescos painted on the walls of the halls and individual cells of the friars. One of these frescos is almost surreal, like a painting by Salvador Dali. It is entitled Cristo Deriso (Christ Mocked) and shows Jesus seated in a chair with the symbols of his torture and mockery painted in a circle around his head. Isaiah and Fra Angelico remind me of the incredible variety of physical and emotional suffering that Jesus endured - a variety which gives all of us some access to that suffering through our own. The gospel scripture this week consistently explores the theme of betrayal which is a special kind of suffering. Perhaps some may want to watch that motion picture again. Others may find the scriptural descriptions more than adequate. But I think it is very important that we not gloss over or skip over Jesus' suffering in our haste to celebrate the Resurrection. AMEN
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