Yes, friends, this last Servant Song of Isaiah extols the Suffering Servant's purifying, saving power over even infectious diseases. I'm not kidding. The Suffering Servant "sprinkles the nations" - outside the place of worship - purifying them of sickness and sin. Who could have ever planned such a series with such a show at this time?! 

The supreme self-sacrifice prophesied in the main part of the text is as surprising as the spin Isaiah gives it. Any religious person of his day would have viewed the Servant’s suffering as rightful punishment for sin. But the prophet sees through a different lens. Through beautiful imagery, Isaiah announces three-fold vindication for the Servant whose vicarious suffering will “justify the many.” God greatly rewards the selfless Servant and turns his suffering into the balm that heals the world.

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LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on her method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.

L - Listen (Receive the Word.)

Sonja's Covid-19 article, Redemption Happens in the Dark. It's no coincidence "quarantine" means forty days...

O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.)

What stirs within you when you observe innocent suffering?

What about your own pain? Do you feel you suffer alone, or do you sense Christ suffering with you?

V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)

Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.

E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)

O God, protect us against the ravages of illness. Stop the advance of the Coronavirus disease that threatens the human family across the globe. We pray through the intercession of Your Mother, Refuge of the Sick, and in the name and power of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.+ (Bishop Robert Reed, via Twitter) 

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Read the Transcript

You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript here, courtesy of Dora Donovan who does our transcripts for you.

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