March 30, 2004 : Our Lenten Shepherd

Tuesday, March 30, 2004

Lenten Fast

Venerable John of Sinai, Author of the Ladder

6th Hour: Isaiah 49:6-10 1st Vespers: Genesis 31:3-16 2nd Vespers: Proverbs 21:3-21
Isaiah 49:6-11 RSV, especially vs. 10: "He Who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs
of water will guide them." Lent is a spiritual pilgrimage taken in the fellowship of the Church and led by Our Shepherd
(vss. 9,10). As the Lord Himself tells us: "I will make all My mountains a way, and My highways shall be raised
up"(vs.11). As a trek taken with the Shepherd, Lent follows a well-planned path, like a graded superhighway. Hence, as
we draw close to the end of the Fast, let us be encouraged to stay on the designated roadway under the guidance of our
Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. He journeys with us, caring for our needs.

To understand our Shepherd and the journey we are taking with Him more deeply, observe what Isaiah tells us about our
Shepherd (vss. 6,7), this season in which we are journeying together (vs. 8), and what we may expect along the way (vss. 9-11).

Notice that God the Father addresses Christ in His humanity: "It is too light a thing that You should be My Servant to raise
up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel" (vs. 6). The plan of God embraces all human history, for the
Lord provides for the salvation of all men. Deliverance will not be limited to the tribes of Jacob nor even for a remnant of
ancient Israel. "God so loved the world that He have His only-begotten Son" (Jn. 3:16). He "desires all men to be saved"
(1 Tim. 2:4). Salvation is not narrowed by race, ethnicity, or nationality: "I will give You as a light to the nations, that My
salvation may reach to the end of the earth" (Is. 49:6) - for what St. Augustine called "a remedy for mankind of a power
beyond our imagining."

As God the Father continues His address to the One Who would become Incarnate, He speaks to Him as "One deeply
despised, abhorred by the nations" (vs. 7). Herein, God provides a pre-shadowing of the Passion of the Lord Jesus,
especially of those who later "spat in His face and beat Him; [while] others struck Him with the palms of their hands" (Mt.
26:67).

These forecasts of the Passion, however, are matched against a prophecy that has proven to be equally true, but of an
opposite message. God the Father says, "Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves because the
Lord...has chosen You" (Is. 49:7). Let us remember the numerous Holy Monarchs who have humbled themselves before
Christ and made Him King above themselves in their realms. The despised One also is King of Kings.

We are blessed to know that when Christ came from the Father, He came for all men. The record of His rejection, Passion
and Resurrection is authentic. We have objective evidence from two thousand years of subsequent history proving that God
did not leave the Light of the nations "under a basket" (Mt. 5:15). Rather, in "a time of favor I have answered You, in a
day of salvation I have helped You" (Is. 49:8). Our Shepherd continues as "a covenant to the People" called by His Name -
to His Church - and reaches out still to all "the desolate heritages" (vs. 8).

Jesus Christ is the Lenten Shepherd Who accompanies us, so let us choose to finish Lent well. To prisoners of sin, the
Shepherd of the Sheep says, "'Come forth,' to those who are in darkness, 'Appear.'" (vs. 9). The Good Shepherd frees us.
He gives us light. He feeds us and slakes our thirst, protects and comforts us (vss. 9,10). Do you see? We are being led all
the days of our life, and at this moment in a Lenten pilgrimage, by a merciful and caring Lord, God and Savior, a true
Shepherd. We "shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall smite [us], for He Who has pity on [us] will
lead [us], and by springs of water will guide [us]" (vs. 10). Let us finish the course set before us with confidence. He has
sufficient strength for all.

Thy Covenant O Christ is not meat and drink, but righteousness and asceticism with holiness: have mercy on us, comfort
us and lead us by fountains of water for Thy Name's sake.