25 March 2024 Monday of Holy Week

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.

From Isaiah 42:1-7, NRSV

Today’s Old Testament Reading is from the first of Isaiah’s four “Servant Songs”. Whilst it may not be certain who Isaiah’s subject was, it is clear that Jesus totally embodied all the attributes described. In these opening lines of the song, we hear about some of the most important attributes. This servant is “upheld” or supported by God. Perhaps Isaiah was influenced by the understanding that the official representative of a king at that time was called a servant. Such a servant was empowered to act with authority on the king’s behalf. This servant does not just act on his own initiative but has been especially called and chosen by God. God does not simply use this servant to carry out his wishes but delights in him and gives him everything he will require to carry out his work. His foremost task will be to bring justice not just to the Chosen People but to all nations.

• • What do you think is meant by “I have put my spirit upon him”?
  • Does God call anyone else to be his servant?

Read the words taken from the reading slowly and reflectively, thinking especially about what they reveal of the relationship between God and Christ.