Reading 1
The LORD was pleased
to crush him in infirmity.
If he gives his life as an offering for sin,
he shall see his descendants in a long life,
and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.
Because of his affliction
he shall see the light in fullness
of days;
through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,
and their guilt he shall bear.
Reading 2
Brothers and sisters:
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
Gospel
Jesus summoned the twelve and said to them,
"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Reflection
He through whom all things were made, Jesus Christ, became flesh to serve us and save us. The Doctrine of the Incarnation is one of the most central elements of our Faith, and yet we forget just how incredible it is. God’s humble, self-emptying love upends our human mentality of seeking rank and glory. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples that greatness is equivalent to being a servant—and He models this schema Himself.
In our first reading, Isaiah predicts the saving work of Jesus. The prophet emphasizes that it will be through the Servant’s suffering and affliction that He will save many. And, indeed, as our second reading adds, “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.” Jesus took on our every affliction—except sin—to be as close to us as possible. He descended in humility from the Heavens to retrieve us from the chasm of sin—all so that we can be eternally united with Him in Heaven.
Today’s readings invite us to do likewise. It is through humble self-sacrifice that one embraces the glory of God, since God is humble and self-sacrificial love. Jesus, who is fully God and fully man, lived this truth to perfection, making a total gift of Himself for mankind and literally embodying the glorious self-giving love of God. To follow Christ—and therefore to be like God—is to live in humble love.
As the author of Hebrews says, “Let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.” Inspired by a God who has experienced our weakness and has undergone the ultimate humiliation, let us pray for constant assistance as we seek the Glory of God that is loving service to all.
Please be assured of my prayers for you before Our Lord, present in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
+ Bishop Schlert
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