Deacon Matt's Reflection

Reflection for April 10, 2022

Isaiah 50:4-7: This passage is referred to as one of the “servant songs,” written from the point of view of a prophet or servant of God. Ponder this week how God’s servant shows total dependence upon God. The servant, lacking wisdom, thanks God for giving him or her “a  well-trained tongue,” or prudent words to give encouragement and hope to weary people. When we have to face challenging situations like visiting someone who’s very sick or  troubled, we can pray for wisdom and diplomacy to say and do the right things to comfort that person.  The servant also expresses thanks to God for giving her or him the ability to hear God’s wise   counsel. Let’s pray this week to have our ears opened to hear and understand God’s answer when we pray for wisdom and help with our challenges and concerns. In the last part of this passage, the servant describes the suffering and persecutions that servants of God have to endure. Let’s pray to have courage and strength to endure it when others mock or seem to disrespect our faith. Many practicing Christians still face persecution, even in our own country. Some persecution can happen in very subtle ways. May God sustain us!

Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? This psalm foretells the desolation, sorrow, humiliation and scorn that Jesus suffered on the Cross. We can only imagine Jesus’ sorrow as such cruel hatred was vented upon His saintly and pure body and soul. This psalm begins with the Savior’s agony, but ends with a serene and courageous expression of confidence in God’s attentiveness and saving power. Despite our sufferings and burdens, let’s give glory and praise to God, as this psalmist does!

Phil 2:6-11:  Here we have another passage inviting us to further  reflect upon our humble Lord’s willingness to take on the form of a slave. Jesus consented to take on the role of the “suffering servant,” even to the point of His death on the Cross, that we might be saved. St. Paul worships Jesus in response and offers Jesus, praise and thanksgiving, honor and glory. We’re being called this week and    always, to do the same. We must offer repentance, requests for    forgiveness, and ultimately, thanks to God for His infinite mercy. God continually offers us redemption through Jesus Christ. Are we  appropriately thankful?

The Passion Narrative: Luke 22:14-23:56: Today, we witness Jesus, the servant leader, giving the disciples the gift of Himself, in the form of bread and wine at the first Eucharist. This holy example of self-sacrifice by Jesus is followed by the Apostles’ insensitive argument among themselves over which of them was the greatest. Jesus warns us not to compete with one another. Rather, Jesus instructs us to “let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant.” Jesus truly lived out that example and repeatedly models self-sacrifice and unselfishness. Are we noticing, listening and learning from Jesus’ example?

Jesus’ next act of service is to predict Peter’s three acts of betrayal. Jesus serves Peter by offering Him forgiveness, in advance. He also welcomes Peter back into the fold in advance; telling Peter that “I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.” What an act of  service! Jesus forgives in advance and even welcomes Peter back, before his betrayal even happens! This Holy Week, let’s focus on  Jesus’ boundless mercy as we contemplate His life, Passion, death and Resurrection.

Ponderously,
Deacon Matt