17 October 2021

Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain.
When you make his life an offering for sin,
he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days;
through him the will of the Lord shall prosper.

Out of his anguish he shall see light;
he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge.
   The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous,
   and he shall bear their iniquities.

From Isaiah 53:10-11, NRSV

In today’s first reading, we hear some words from the one of the “Songs of the Suffering Servant”. Although this servant’s original identity is matter of speculation, we know from the ways in which Jesus quoted words from these songs that he identified completely with this servant who gave his life in service and in obedience to his Lord. The short extract we hear today is long enough to show that the sufferings this servant had to endure was part of the fulfilment of God’s plan. The servant’s pain and suffering led to salvation for others and to the reward of being brought through anguish to light.

• • How might you explain the necessity of the servant’s (Christ’s) suffering to someone who questions this?
  • How has this model of service and obedience inspired others?

Look for ways to perform selfless acts of service to help others today.