Wednesday of Holy Week
We can hardly imagine the task of the early Christian liturgists of the Second and Third centuries. They had to attempt to collect and arrange the citations from the Old and New Testaments for the Holy Week liturgies. Certainly, no cut-and-paste possibilities in those days!
Setting aside the question of “how” these readings were chosen, assembled, and copied, we can attempt at least some tentative answers as to “why” the readings were selected. We can imagine that the suffering face of Jesus was painfully clear in the memory of the early Church. This naturally called to mind what the Prophet Isaias had to say about the Suffering Servant.
When the Prophet speaks of the Suffering Servant having a well-trained tongue, the early liturgist was focusing on Jesus not just speaking with authority throughout his ministry, but rather with something even more powerful. Jesus could move people not only by the words he spoke but by His ability to listen and speak with compassion and patience in every situation.
Close examination of the Passover meal texts would suggest a variety of feelings and personal dynamics at work. Jesus had to “speak” to the outer and inner turmoil taking place within his disciples as they experienced their personal fear, anger, ignorance, amazement, and inadequacy.
When we come to the liturgy with the same array of personal feelings, do we allow Jesus to “speak” to us with the same consolation and hope? We must humbly look to those who followed him there and beyond.
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections