First Reading: Isaiah 42: 1-7
Psalm 27: 1, 2, 3, 13-14
Gospel: John 12: 1-11
This week is a time to pause and reflect: Jesus came to serve rather than to be served, and to give His life for us. On this Holy Week, we are invited to continue our journey with Jesus during His last days before His Hour of Glory: His death and resurrection.
In today’s first reading, we hear how GOD is pleased with the Servant who will minister in a quiet, but powerful, way. This Servant of GOD will tend to those who are bruised and broken, and will establish justice.
The psalm today focuses on trust in GOD. Even in difficult situations, there is no need for fear if one waits for the LORD with courage. GOD will bring light and salvation to those who trust in the LORD. This speaks both about Jesus’ trust in His Father as He faces His impending passion, and our trust in GOD as we face difficult times.
Our Gospel takes place just days before the Passover. Jesus returns into Bethany, the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Martha takes the servant role in providing the meal, just as Jesus will be a servant during His Last Supper. Mary lavishly anoints Jesus’ feet in a sign of love and service, as Jesus will wash the feet of His followers. Therefore, the aspect which strikes us the most is that of Servanthood. Jesus comes in fulfillment of Isaiah’s passages about the Suffering Servant. He will demonstrate His Servanthood even more in the days to come as He serves His disciples at the Last Supper as a sign of His willingness to give His life. He will continue His Servant mentality throughout His passion. Being a servant is a matter of the mind. It is one’s attitude towards others. So, we have to have the attitude of servants, people who choose to be of service to others, trusting that GOD will be with us as our light and our salvation. We will be able to do so if we reflect on how our Lord Jesus came in service and was the Suffering Servant for us. The more we are touched by the example of the Suffering Servant Jesus, the more we will be able to serve others. Thus, we need to focus on our relationship with the Suffering Servant. He has given us the example to follow: No greater love does anyone have than one is willing to lay down one’s life for another (John 15: 13).
Especially during this Corona Virus crisis, we can be of service to those with whom we are sheltering. We may be able to be of service outside of the “safety of our home” by corresponding with others via phone or emails. We can pray for all those affected by the pandemic. Let's follow the example of Jesus’ Servanthood.