I was a greenhorn director of religious education, just getting familiar with volunteer parish catechists, when a conversation with the pastor brought this passage of Scripture alive for me. I was asking him about the non-Catholic husband of one catechist, when he quoted to me the lines about the bruised reed and the smoldering wick. The rest of the details of the couple’s situation have long faded from memory, but the pastor’s understanding of the principles taught then have not.
Thus says the LORD:
Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one with whom I am pleased,
upon whom I have put my spirit;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations,
not crying out, not shouting,
not making his voice heard in the street.
a bruised reed he shall not break,
and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,
until he establishes justice on the earth;
the coastlands will wait for his teaching.
Isaiah 42:1-4
The early Christians recognized Jesus as the “servant” of God in this prophecy of Isaiah, a servant described in a later part of this “Song of the Servant” as one who suffers on behalf of the people and opens a way of salvation for all peoples, “the nations,” (that is, all of us non-Jews).
Now, through our baptism and faith, Jesus becomes the Way, the Truth, and the Life for each of us. His very life is to course through our veins. We are to see things from his perspective, evaluate things as he does, act in the ways he acts. That is the way he “bring[s] forth justice to the nations,” justice being much more than keeping the Commandments. It includes a whole way of life of fairness, self-sacrifice, and reaching out to the poor and oppressed of every description. A way of life that, because it follows the pattern of Jesus’ life on earth, necessarily includes our suffering and our death, on the way to everlasting life.
Notice, his way includes “not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street” [emphasis added] things we have all heard too much of from Left, Right, and Twitter this past year.
Rather, it means to listen to the “bruised reed” and the “smoldering wick” not to break or quench them, but to encourage them. Who are these bruised reeds and smoldering wicks? They are those who struggle with faith, who have suffered damage, or who have realized, deep into a life of bad choices, that they need to find a way to the light, or back to the light. They are likely many of the people we encounter in a day—overburdened, suffering from lack of family guidance, stuck in unhealthy relationships, struggling with destructive habits, etc., etc. Some of them no doubt drive us to distraction and exhaust our good will with stupid, short-sighted ideas, or ugly prejudices and opinions. One or two of them might even be Samaritans!
As we read the gospels, we see glimpses of Jesus dealing with some of these people. He encourages rather than berates the man with the afflicted son who says, “I believe, help my unbelief.” [Ever been there yourself?] (Mark 9:34) After Peter boasted of his courage and then denied he even knew Jesus three times, all Jesus does is quietly ask him if he still loves Jesus, and then, on nothing more than Peter’s word, entrusts him with a great mission. [Ever let anybody down?] (John 21:15-19) At dinner with a Pharisee, when the woman scorned as a flirtatious tramp anoints Jesus’ feet with aromatic oil, he simply tells her that her repentant faith has saved her, and she should go in peace. [Ever despaired of being able to change?] (Luke 7:36-50)
Bruised reeds, smoldering wicks—those kinds of people. Me. You.
They need company on the road, not abandonment.
Further application:
Like quite a few converts to Catholicism, I was joyfully enthusiastic about my new found, newly practiced faith, and eager to share it with others. Compared to what I had come from, Catholicism was clear, complete, powerful, and endlessly fascinating. It was easy to overlook the several years where I was groping my way towards the Church, years when my situation would easily have fit into the “smoldering wick” category. And here’s the thing about a smoldering wick level of faith–it can be harmed, even extinguished by too strong a blast of evangelization. What it needs is gentle, consistent handling, often not even verbalized. A gentle witness of practice can be better than a deluge of pamphlets or promotion of devotions.
Reflect for yourself: Do I have a thoughtful, ready answer for friends who may ask me about the Church or a Catholic belief or practice? Do I befriend before I evangelize? Do I serve them? Do I have a clear understanding of their situation? Am I willing to play ‘the long game’ and pray for them when I don’t see outward signs of progress? Do I remember that God loves them more than I do and allow Him to work within them where I cannot see? Have I asked the Lord how I can better serve and love them?
Comments, thoughts, or questions are always welcome.
Dear Jim, I am reminded of Pope John XXIII by this posting. When he spearheaded the Second Vatican Council, he wanted to have the Mass said in peoples’ native tongue instead of Latin. He simply wanted to bring the church closer to the people. Although this might seem like a simple goal to some, he was viciously attacked by some of his Vatican contemporaries. Character assassination is so often practiced by those in places of prestige and power, who, at times, see the least things as threatening. During the turmoil of the Council when all these crosscurrents were going on, someone asked the very beloved Pope John XXIII what his role was in all of this. He said quite simply and I believe quite profoundly “My role is to suffer.”
Jim, Your posting touched me so deeply ,it brought me to tears. Thank you for all you do, You really have helped me to see God and the church in such a different light. So contrary to the way I was brought up ! God bless you.