This is Cardinal Francis George. I invite you to join me for the next few minutes to

reflect with Father Robert Barron on the word of God, which is the word on fire.

Word on fire, Catholic Ministries, is a nonprofit ministry at the forefront of Catholic evangelization

using new media to spread the faith and every continent. Father Barron challenges us to

open our hearts to the word on fire, which is God's word of love for each of us.

If our hearts are open, the Lord can change and transform us so that we might speak with

love about the one who is love. The global benefactors of word on fire with the support

of the Archdiocese of Chicago now present word on fire.

Peace be with you. Friends, our first reading is taken from the middle section of the book

of the prophet Isaiah. And it introduces us to the mysterious figure of the suffering servant.

This figure will be presented throughout 49 and the following chapters up to 53.

Who is this figure? Well, the scholars have debated for centuries about that.

At times it seems to be Israel itself, Israel as a people, as though the servant is a

personification of Israel. Other times it seems to be a particular person, maybe a particular

figure who sums up Israel. Well, listen now in our reading from chapter 49, as the servant himself

speaks. The Lord called me before I was born. He made my mouth like a sharp sword.

And the Lord said to me, you are my servant, Israel, in whom I glorify.

Well, there's a lot packed in of that, isn't there? The Lord called me before I was born.

Typical mark there of the prophets, isn't it? Well, often the prophets think of Jeremiah,

said, you know, be the Lord said to him before I formed you in the womb. I knew you.

Called the great heroes of Israel. Don't set their own agenda, do they?

Contrast them here to the heroes of ancient civilization.

...