In today's first reading, Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7, the prophet speaks of the coming Messiah, a person of whom God says: "Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit...A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench." The Incarnate God, Isaiah prophesies is called "for the victory of justice,....[will be] set as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness."
Fast forward to the New Testament and meet Jesus, who sets prisoners free, gives sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, the ability to walk to those who are crippled; He raises the dead to life, freeing them from confinement, the dungeon and the darkness of death and cures every kind of disease with which He is confronted. And, yes, He casts out evil spirits who have taken possession of individuals.
In baptism, we became one with Jesus in his death and resurrection. We were made servants of the Lord and entrusted with the same mission that Jesus modeled for us in the Scriptures. We, too, are called to be a light in the world of darkness around us, to bring sight to the blind, deaf to the hearing and wellness to those who are sick. We are also asked to respect all persons, especially the poor and marginalized of our societies, as Jesus Himself reached out to those ostracized in His culture. As with Jesus, we, too, are to be persons who do not break "a bruised reed" or stamp out "a smoldering wick".
As important is that we realize that God is a compassionate God toward us as well. When we are bruised, Jesus does "not break" us but pours His healing "oils" into our bruises and make us whole again. When our wicks are going out, He does not stomp them into oblivion but reignites them and makes them bright and strong so, once again, we are able to penetrate the darkness within ourselves and around us.
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