Morning by morning God wakens—
wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.
—Isaiah 50.4
From a lectionary reading for Palm/Passion Sunday: Isaiah 50.4-9a
Reflection for Wednesday, March 28 (Day 31 of Lent)
Even when in pain. Even when enduring insult and injury. Even when his attackers try to shame him and make him less than he is. Even then, the speaker in this passage—the third of what are known as the “Servant Songs”—does not turn away from God. The Servant, whom interpreters have variously identified as the nation of Israel or as a single individual (the Christian tradition often viewing the Servant as Jesus), continues to place his trust in God.
In the midst of suffering, it can be tempting to turn away from God. We may blame God for our pain. We may turn inward upon ourselves when the most important thing we can do is turn toward those who can help us, including the One who does not will our suffering but who, as the Servant sings, stands with us when others are arrayed against us.
I am struck by how, even as the Servant sets his face “like flint” (verse 7) and is resolute in his convictions, he begins each day—”morning by morning”—by listening to the God who “wakens my ear to listen” and who has “opened my ear.” I am intrigued by the Servant’s combination of willingness and strength, by his desire to turn his ear toward God in patient listening even as he stands his ground.
The poet e. e. cummings closes his poem “i thank You God for most this amazing day” with these words:
(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
In these Lenten days, how do we listen in this way? How do we turn toward the God who, morning by morning, desires to open our ears, our eyes, ourselves, that we may be fully awake in this world, and offer a word that will sustain those who are weary?
Blessing to Open the Ear
That as we wake
we will listen.
That as we rise
we will listen.
That before our first words
of the day
we will listen.
That when we meet
we will listen.
That at noontime
we will listen.
That at dusk
we will listen.
That at the gathering
of night
we will listen.
That entering sleep
we will listen still.
—Jan Richardson
[To use the image “Wakens My Ear to Listen,” please visit this page at janrichardsonimages.com. Your use of janrichardsonimages.com helps make the ministry of The Painted Prayerbook possible. Thank you!]
March 27, 2012 at 7:37 PM |
I am going to print this poem and paste it next to my bed, so it’s the first thing I see when I wake up, and the last thing at night. Thank you!
March 27, 2012 at 10:14 PM |
Lovely! Thank you so much, Kellyann. Many blessings to you in these Lenten days and beyond.
March 28, 2012 at 1:42 PM |
What a good idea – may I borrow it??
March 28, 2012 at 12:02 AM |
I am so thankful that the Spirit wakens my ears to listen, so prone am I to go my own way! Your post was lovely and a confirmation of my goal for 2012…to exchange my ‘list’ for ‘listen.’ Stop doing things in my own strength and to listen for what the Lord would direct me to do.
March 28, 2012 at 10:20 AM |
“Speak, Lord. for your servant is listening.” May it be so!