Friends, welcome to Word on Fire Catholic Ministries. Word on Fire is an

apostolate dedicated to the mission of evangelization using media both old and

new to share the faith on every continent and to facilitate an encounter with

Christ and His Church. The efforts of Word on Fire engage the culture and bring

the transformative power of God's Word where it is most needed. Today we invite

you to join Bishop Robert Barron as he preaches the gospel and shares the

warmth and light of Christ with each one of us.

Peace be with you. Friends with our readings for this weekend we are on very

holy ground because we're dealing with the imagery, symbolism and theology of

the suffering servant. It's an image of extraordinary importance in our great

tradition. And we start now in our first reading. Let's take you from the book of

the prophet Isaiah. I might have mentioned this before too but the scholars

divide Isaiah the first 39 chapters. They think it's associated with the

historical Isaiah. Then the central section chapters 40 through 55 they call it

Deuteronry 2nd Isaiah. Associated most likely with a figure around the time of

the return of the captives from Babylon. Then they think 55 through the end would

be a third Isaiah but I won't get into all those details. What's important is the

suffering servant imagery is taken from this middle section, this Deuteron

Isaiah, dealing with the triumphant return of the exiles. So this section is

particularly lyrical and beautiful. It's the language of triumph and comfort and

return. It's joyful. Listen to how it begins. Here's the opening lines of

chapter 40. Comfort. Oh comfort my people says your God. Speak tenderly to

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