There are four “servant of the Lord” oracles in Isaiah. These passages are also known as the “suffering servant songs,” which reveal what a well-trained disciple might have to face.

The first reading is from one of the servant songs in the book of Isaiah. It describes God choosing someone to suffer for the sake of others. The servant’s suffering shares similarities with ...

Then we will understand the invincible power of vulnerable love. A version of this story appeared in the Oct 1-14, 2021 print issue under the headline: To be great, be a servant.

Isaiah 42 starts by introducing God’s chosen one, “my servant.” This is the first of what some call the Servant Songs; the other songs are found in 49:1–6, 50:4–9, and 52:13–53:12.