Wednesday 27 March 2024

0:00

Today is Wednesday of Holy Week, the 27th of March.

Eliza King sings, ‘My Help Comes’.

I lift my eyes up to the hills

Up to the highest mountain

Is this where heaven meets the earth

Where I might find your presence?

Where does my help come from?

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

My help comes from the Lord

The one who watches never sleeps

Nor does He wane or tire

Both night and day my life He keeps

My shade, He is my shelter

Where does my help come from?

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

Maker of the earth and heavens

My help comes from the Lord

Seated high, high above them

My help comes from the Lord

Maker of the earth and heavens

My help comes from the Lord

My coming and going

My sleeping and rising

The Lord watches over

Now and forever

My coming and going

My sleeping and rising

The Lord watches over

Now and forever

The Lord watches over

Now and forever

Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah 50:4-9

The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens — wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backwards. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.

The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty? All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.

The Holy Week liturgy identifies the patient suffering of the Servant with that of Jesus, but he’s no pushover. This is fighting talk, even in the midst of pain and humiliation. Trust in God gives the Servant confidence and courage. Where have you found strength amid suffering in your own experience?

Isaiah emphasises God’s help as something reliable that we can trust in, even when things look and feel bad. The Servant’s submission to God is not a defeat but an experience of deep union. It gives power and resilience in hard times. How do you want to respond to this idea?

As we hear Isaiah’s prophecy repeated, what are the words that stay in your mind and heart, and why?

Isaiah’s description of suffering is graphic. It connects with the humiliation and violence that Jesus suffers. He doesn’t glorify suffering, and in practice we can find our own trials hugely challenging to our faith. What do you want to say to God about this?

We adore you O Christ and we bless you

For by your Holy Cross and resurrection, You have redeemed the world.

Amen