Monday 25 March 2024

Today is Monday of Holy Week, the 25th of March.

Ex Cathedra, directed by Jeffrey Skidmore, sing Versa est in luctum by Alonso Lobo. Versa est in luctum: My harp is tuned for sorrow. ‘Tuning your harp for sorrow’ is a conscious, deliberate preparation for sadness to come. This week, as we begin to recall the suffering and death of Christ, how can you prepare yourself for this sorrow? If you find that difficult, let this music help you.

Versa est in luctum cithara mea,
et organum meum in vocem flentium.
Parce mihi Domine,
nihil enim sunt dies mei.
My harp is turned to grieving
and my flute to the voice of those who weep.
Spare me, O Lord,
for my days are as nothing.




Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah 42:1-7

Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom my soul delights. I have sent my spirit upon him, he will bring fair judgement to the nations. He does not cry out or raise his voice, his voice is not heard in the street; he does not break the crushed reed or snuff the faltering wick. Faithfully he presents fair judgement; he will not grow faint, he will not be crushed until he has established fair judgement on earth, and the coasts and islands are waiting for his instruction. Thus says God, Yahweh, who created the heavens and spread them out, who hammered into shape the earth and what comes from it, who gave breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it: I, Yahweh, have called you in saving justice, I have grasped you by the hand and shaped you; I have made you a covenant of the people and light to the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to free captives from prison, and those who live in darkness from the dungeon.

Holy Week opens with Isaiah’s beautiful prophecy of the Suffering Servant. Many people recognize these words as referring to Jesus, but we ourselves have also been chosen by God in his name, created and shaped to be his human body in the world. As we enter Passiontide, how do Isaiah’s words strike you?

The Suffering Servant doesn’t use coercive strength to enforce God’s sovereignty. He is a ‘covenant of the people’, fulfilling God’s promise to free us from whatever holds us captive. Is there a captivity or darkness from which you long to be freed?

As you hear the reading repeated, what images or phrases touch your mind and heart? Where is God leading you through Isaiah’s words?

Today’s reading is like a portrait of Jesus himself, but also offers a potential portrait of his followers. As the words come to life for you, what do you find yourself wanting to say to the one who is ‘a covenant of the people and light to the nations’? Take time to speak to him from your heart.

We adore you O Christ and we bless you
For by your Holy Cross and resurrection, You have redeemed the world.
Amen