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Day 3
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Theme: Changed by the Suffering
Servant
Text : Christ suffered for us (cf. 1 Pt 2:21) |
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Readings
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Is 53:3-11
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The man of sorrows accustomed to
suffering
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Ps 22: 12-24
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He did not despise the affliction
of the of the afflicted
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1Pt 2:21-25
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Christ suffered for us
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Lk 24:25-27
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Did not the Messiah have to suffer
these things?
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Commentary
The divine paradox is that God can
change tragedy and disaster into victory. He transforms all our sufferings and
misfortunes, and the enormity of history’s pain, into a resurrection that
encompasses the whole world. While appearing to be defeated, He is nevertheless
the true Victory whom no one and nothing can overcome.
Isaiah’s moving prophecy about the
suffering Servant of the Lord was completely fulfilled in Christ. After
suffering enormous agony, the Man of Sorrows shall see His offspring. We
are that offspring, born from the Saviour’s suffering. In this way we are made
one family in Him.
One can say that Psalm 22 is not
only about Jesus, but also for Jesus. The Saviour Himself prayed this psalm on
the cross, when He used its desolate opening words: My God, my God, why have
you forsaken me? Yet in the second part of the psalm the lamentation, the
imploring full of pain, changes into praise of God for His works.
The apostle Peter is a witness of
the sufferings of Christ (1 Pt 5,1), which he presents to us as an example:
it is to this suffering for the sake of love we are called. Jesus did not curse
God, but submitted to Him who judges righteously. His wounds have healed us,
and returned us all to the one Shepherd.
Only in the light of the presence of
the Lord and His word does the divine purpose of the Messiah’s sufferings
become clear. Just as for the disciples on the way to Emmaus, Jesus is our
constant companion on the stony road of life, stirring our hearts and opening
our eyes to the mysterious plan of salvation.
Christians experience suffering as a
result of humanity’s fragile condition; we recognise this suffering in social
injustice and situations of persecution. The power of the cross draws us into
unity. Here we encounter Christ’s suffering as the source of compassion for and
solidarity with the entire human family. As one contemporary theologian puts
it: the closer we come to the cross of Christ, the closer we come to one
another. The witness of Christians together in situations of suffering assumes
remarkable credibility. In our shared solidarity with all who suffer we learn
from the crucified suffering servant the lessons of self-emptying, letting go
and self-sacrifice. These are the gifts we need from His Spirit on our way to
unity in Him.
Prayer
God of consolation, you have
transformed the shame of the cross into a sign of victory. Grant that we may be
united around the Cross of your Son to worship Him for the mercy offered
through his suffering. May the Holy Spirit open our eyes and our hearts, so that
we may help those who suffer to experience your closeness. ; You who live and
reign forever and ever. Amen.
Questions for reflection
- How can our faith help us in our response to long-lasting suffering?
- What areas of human suffering are unnoticed and belittled today?
- How can Christians bear witness together to the power of the cross?
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