On May 9, the Church commemorates one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament, St. Isaiah. According to the Roman MartyrologyThis day is the "commemoration of St. Isaiah, prophet. Who, in the time of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, was sent to an unfaithful and sinful people to show them the faithful and saving God". Thus was fulfilled the promise made by the Lord to David".
"As the tradition existing among the Jews has handed down, died a martyred man under the reign of Manasseh (7th century B.C.)," concludes the reference. In various parts of the Book of Isaiah the coming of the Messiah deliverer is spoken of, foretelling his birth and his works, his passion and death.
"Like a lamb led to the slaughter."
In the prophecy of Isaiah 53 "we discover the inner world of the Messiah, and more specifically the free atoning will of his self-giving." "Mistreated, he willingly humbled himself and opened not his mouth: as a lamb led to the slaughter, as a sheep before the shearer, he was dumb, and opened not his mouth" (...).
This image of meekness and patience in the midst of suffering, has written Rafael Sanz Carrera, "is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Who, during his trial and crucifixion, did not defend himself, but endured suffering in silence (Matthew 27:12-14, Mark 14:61, Luke 23:9)".
The Suffering Servant
"The passage compares the Suffering Servant to a "lamb led to the slaughter and a sheep before its shearers." It finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is described as 'the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world' (John 1:29 and 1 Peter 1:18-19)."
Others santos of the day are St. Pachomius of Egypt, the Poor Clare St. Catherine of Bologna, the Vietnamese martyr St. Joseph Do Quang Hien, or the martyred saints of Persia.
