Isaiah 50:4-9a
The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens – wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?
This Old Testament lesson appointed for Holy Wednesday picks up the theme of the previous day’s appointed reading from the previous chapter of Isaiah. In this reading we hear the prophet acknowledging that God has given him the tongue of a teacher who shares a message not in his own name but rather in the name of God, as if spoken directly by God. In the Gospel, especially in the Passion of Christ, we find Jesus embracing this prophesy. With the prophet and the Christ held before us, this lesson calls us to embrace this truth for ourselves. God has given us a tongue to proclaim the Gospel, to make Christ known to all people, that the whole world might hear the Word of God and live. None can silence us! Christ is our strength. Therefore we can speak boldly, both in season and out of season, to those who long to hear as well as among those who believe that we are madmen rambling mere foolishness.
The Rev’d Father Timothy Alleman, Rector
+ The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross + Wilkes-Barre +
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