The suffering servant

• Prophet


  A person who proclaims the truth about God and humanity
• Human society imperfections


  • Hunger
  • Poverty
  • Corruption
  • Wars
  • Human trafficking
  • Child labor
  • Injustices
  • Discrimination
• Isaiah as a prophet

  • He fought against the social injustices in Judah through his prophetic messages
  • These chapters are also known as the "Book of Consolation"
• Judah was captured by the Babylonian Empire, particularly by King Nebuchadrezzar
• Isaiah: '"Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God" (Is. 40:1)'
• Isaiah: '"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... Because you are precious in my sight and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you." (Is. 43:1-5)'
• God's message through Isaiah


  • God comforted them
  • Recalled to them God's blessings for Israel
  • Assured them of God's help
  • Proclaimed the coming of a Servant who shall serve as Light to the nations
• They thought of a king who was as majestic, powerful, and wealthy as David and Solomon
• Whenever we offer our suffering in the reparation for our sins and those of the whole world, it becomes our participation in the saving work of Christ
• How to be happy in a world full of evil and suffering


  1. Identify your values in life

  2. Ensure that all your decisions and way of life align with your chosen values
• Values to consider for a life well-lived

  • 20 values to choose from, 10 critical values, 5 most important values
• Suffering Servant


  • Despised and rejected by others
  • He carried our diseases and was crushed for our sins
  • A good shepherd who searched for his lost sheep
  • Oppressed and led to the slaughter like a lamb, but he did not open his mouth
  • Was sinless and blameless, yet he became an offering for sin
  • Obeyed God and willingly died for the forgiveness of our sins
• Call to conversion


  God's work
• Response to conversion


  God's grace
• Conversion is a joint effort, not just self-made. It is also the work of the saving God
• Isaiah: '"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine." (Is. 43:1)'
• Conversion is a word of passion, bringing new hope at the very time when things were completely hopeless
• Isaiah: '"Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged. Hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow" (Is. 1:16-17)'
• Within the grace of conversion is the promise of forgiveness
• Isaiah: '"Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord. Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they may be crimson red, they may become white as wool" (Is. 1:18)'
• We are to make a difference in a person's life, but we must start with our own self first. We cannot give what we do not have, so we begin to practice giving to ourselves
• We are God's ongoing creation
• Faith in God entails integrity of conscience, sense of justice, compassion for humanity, and authentic expression of charity toward our neighbors