April 15, 2019
In Isaiah 42:1-7 “The Lord’s Chosen Servant” God speaks of Jesus and alludes to both the individual (you) (your) plight and the plight of Israel (us)...a church community) He speaks of His Beloved Son who .... shall bring forth justice to the nations.
I, the LORD, have called you for justice,
I have grasped you by the hand;
I formed you, and set you
as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,
And how might we, as God’s people today, change our actions and behaviors to be better servants of God, ones wherein we are more Christ-like? A light for our neighbors? A light for our friends and family? Are we God’s servants, establishing justice on earth as it is in heaven? How do we take up the mission of the servant and live out our baptismal vows?Jesus points us toward our important work and demonstrates that a relationship with God is possible. In Isaiah 42:1-7 he lays out the types of individual ministry possible when we are led by God’s spirit. But we as a church community also participate in this work of justice together as communities of faith. As churches, not just as individuals, we are God’s servants to the world.
In the gospel of John 12:1-11
Mary Anointed the Feet of Jesus
This is both beautiful and sad. Beautiful for the deep love and true disciple Mary was. Mary’s actions also anticipate Jesus’ later teaching to the disciples. Mary wipes Jesus’ feet with her hair, the same action he takes in the next chapter when he washes his disciples’ feet and wipes them with the towel tied around his body. The foot washing is an example the disciples are to follow (13:14-15), something Mary has already done. This complex passage foreshadows the death and burial of Jesus and extols the true meaning of Jesus’ death and dying on the cross for our sins.
Christine Deines
St. Anthony Parishioner (member of social action)
