At this, the beginning of Holy Week, the First Reading is from Second Isaiah, speaking in exile with a message of encouragement and hope for the liberation of the exiles. His prophecy of the Suffering Servant of God was to be fulfilled, not just for the exiled Israelites as living witnesses to God's saving power, but more so, with the coming of Christ and His Church. Isaiah also voices the aspirations of Christians today for freedom, peace and justice.(42:7).

Jesus understood this message of the role of a people destined to suffer on behalf of others and thus win the world for God, and He made it His own. Isaiah's prophecy points directly to Christ. "I have endowed him with my spirit that he may bring true justice to the nations" (42:1). The perfect Servant of God brought all humankind to the knowledge of God through His suffering and death.

John's Gospel passage today brings us closer to the fulfilment of Isaiah's prophecy, that of the Suffering Servant. When Mary of Bethany anoints His feet with the precious ointment, Judas Iscariot protests. In the ensuing contretemps, Jesus makes it a point to remind all around Him that this anointing was in preparation for His burial. Even as He dwelt on it and prepared for it, His jealous enemies were making sure of His fate. But Jesus did not shirk from His role as Suffering Messiah.