Word to the Wise
Monday, April 10, 2017 - Holy Week - Mon
[Isa 42:1-7 and John 12:1-11]MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2017. MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK [Isaiah 42:1-7 and John 12:1-11] "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased. Upon him I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations." [Isaiah] Every scripture this week is worth close attention and reflection. After all the excitement of Palm Sunday, the darkness of the plot against Jesus colors all events. The first and second scriptures complement one another. Isaiah speaks of the "Suffering Servant" and the gospel scriptures speak of the events leading up to Jesus' arrest. In their effort to understand Jesus' suffering, the early Christian community turned to Isaiah's words and found Jesus to be their fulfillment. The gospel scripture for today has Jesus attending a dinner outside Jerusalem. Among the guests is none other than Lazarus! (Imagine yourself sitting next to him!). The profound gesture of Mary, Lazarus' sister, of pouring very expensive perfume on Jesus' feet and drying them with her hair introduces a note of inevitability. Jesus is headed for a momentous fate. He is the one whom God has sent - the Suffering Servant. Judas cannot see this and complains hypocritically about the expense. We have all this scriptural and liturgical richness in front of us to enable us to enter into the events of Holy Week. Isaiah will introduce us Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Then we hear other witnesses for other events. Jesus is the one whom God has sent. Who are we? AMEN