Is 49:1-6
Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the Lord, and my reward with my God.” And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength— he says, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Put On God’s Vision
In this second of the Servant Songs in the book of Isaiah, the prophet describes a familiar feeling to us. He heard God calling him to mission, and he set out to work. He toiled and labored, but did not see the results of his efforts. He felt discouraged.
But God spoke to him. God’s vision for the prophet is much larger than the prophet’s limited view. The prophet will work not just for one or two nations, but will be a light for the whole world.
In this Holy Week, I wonder. Did Jesus feel discouraged in the face of his impending death? Did he think his efforts were in vain? Could he also trust that God was working unseen through his terrible suffering?
What about you? Can you put on God’s vision and see the importance of your toil and labor?
—David Kiblinger, SJ, is a deacon of the USA Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus studying theology at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. He will be ordained a priest this June.
Prayer
Lord, encourage me when I am worn out, when I feel my work is in vain. Grant me an unshakeable trust that you are laboring in me. Then I may see everything with your eyes. Amen.
—David Kiblinger, SJ