Homily for Tuesday of Holy Week

Homily for Tuesday of Holy Week

March 31, 2026
Is 49: 1-6
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

During Holy Week, we read the 4 songs or oracles of the Servant of the Lord from the prophet known as Second Isaiah.  On Sunday we heard the 1st oracle, today the 2d.  Christians have always seen these prophecies fulfilled in Christ.

The Annunciation (Juan Correa de Vivar)

Each follower of Christ also is the Lord’s servant.  Recall Mary’s self-description when Gabriel invited her to become the Messiah’s mother:  “I am the servant of the Lord” (Luke 1:38).

“From my mother’s womb he gave me my name” (Is 49:1).  That was true of Jesus (Luke 1:31; Matt 1:21).  He also chose and called each of us.  By naming us, he claimed us as his own, part of his family.  That’s true for every Christian, and in a particular way for every religious.  Some religious like yourselves even mark Jesus’ claim on you with a new name.

“You are my servant thru whom I show my glory” (49:3).  That’s why God calls us and names us:  to glorify him.  Jesus states that as his own purpose:  God is glorified in the Son of Man, and that redounds to his glory as well (John 13:31-32).  The most famous line in the writings of St. Irenaeus may be, “The glory of God is a full alive human,” one who lives in Christ.  That’s our glory and God’s at the same time, as parents glory in the accomplishments of their children.  That glory flows from our service to God:  “You are my servant thru whom I show my glory.”

The Lord chose his servant to restore Israel and to bring salvation to the ends of the earth (Is 49:6).  His servant Jesus has restored humanity’s covenant relationship with the Father—for all nations, not only Israel.  As religious as well as Christians, we’ve been given a share in that missionary purpose, extending the mission of our Lord Jesus.  How fortunate that the Christian Brothers as well as the Salesians have been “a light to the nations, reaching to the ends of the earth” (49:6).  Even in this house, you have that vocation, continuing what you began in Christ many years ago, also united mystically with your brothers around the world.

By fulfilling the call and the name bestowed on us, we’ll be “made glorious in the sight of the Lord” (49:5)—glorious with Christ risen.