WHY LORD?
The second book of Isaiah, (Is 40-55), is generally called Deutero-Isaiah. It is a book of comfort. It is directed to the Jewish people in exile in Babylonia. The message is one of hope and deliverance in the midst of darkness and desperation. Among the fifteen chapters of this part of Isaiah there are four passages that are called the Suffering Servant songs. They describe a person intimate with God and living with faith and integrity. It is no surprise that he is the Suffering Servant because of his conflict with evil. He is a voice of hope in a miserable situation.
The early Christian Church cherished these special selections of Isaiah to help them to understand the mystery of a Crucified Christ. Their confusion was overwhelming as they encountered the face of God on a cross. It should be the same for us if we let the reality sink into the depths of our heart. The question is the same for us as the early Christian, Why Lord? This is a question that never goes away in our journey in a sinful and broken world. There are so many situations in our life that our heart bursts out with the question, Why Lord? However, there is no situation more real for our plea, Why Lord? than Jesus abandoned on the cross.
The Suffering Servant passages invite us into the mystery anew as we apply them to Christ our Crucified Savior.
In the first reading on Passion Sunday we have a few verses from the third Suffering Servant in Isaiah (Is 50:4-7) They describe a faithful servant who listens to God and reaches out in service to help his people only to be rejected.
In the beginning of this selection there is a great insight of what is one of the most essential elements of being a disciple. “Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear.” (Is 50:4) The word used for “open” also is used in the Hebrew language to drill a well for water. It is a powerful word to describe how God is constantly reaching out to us in this relentless fashion. Our task is to listen each and every day. We need the divine guidance. We need to face our ever-changing circumstances with the light of our encounter with God.
It is most appropriate at the beginning of Holy Week that we hear the call of God: Listen my child. I have the message of wisdom, light and love for you in this holy season. Listen my daughters and sons to the story. It is always new and deeper than you ever imagined. Let the journey of Christ open your heart to my presence in your life. Let the passage of Christ to Jerusalem enlighten your heart and life to see my grace and my love in your struggles and your joys. Only your life will be able to help you understand. So, my call is for you to listen most of all at this most solemn of all celebrations of the death and resurrection of my son. It is your gift and your guide into my Kingdom of peace, joy and love. Listen, and you will understand and embrace my answer to your question, Why Lord?
