The Word Among Us

Lent 2006 Issue

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

The four Suffering Servant songs are found in the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-10; 52:13–53:12). They are in a section of Isaiah that was probably written about one hundred fifty years after the prophet Isaiah was ministering in Jerusalem (chapters 40-55). More »

A philosopher once said, "The world is full of suffering, but it is also full of people overcoming it." Suffering is an inescapable part of life. Whether it involves the minor bumps and bruises of daily living or deep traumas like terminal illness, sudden widowhood, or a nasty divorce, suffering touches all of our lives. More »

When we look at the Suffering Servant, we see someone who spent time allowing God to form him. We see someone who allowed God to search his heart and purify him of all that kept him from fulfilling his calling. Consequently, he came to grasp God's intention for his life and for his people. He was able to accept his role in God's plan. He was even able to embrace his sufferings, because he had caught a glimpse of the glorious outcome God had designed! More »

The story you are about to read is the earliest known account of a Christian martyrdom. Written about a.d. 156, within a year of the event it describes, it is an authentic eyewitness report of the heroic death of an elderly man named Polycarp. More »

Special Feature

Have you ever been to a prayer meeting or retreat where people were invited to "give a witness"—to share with the group about what God is doing in their lives? If you have, you know what a privilege it is to catch these glimpses of God's tender and creative love. More »

I have been a "good" Catholic all my life—a parochial school student, lector, choir member, and religious education teacher. Yet I felt something was missing. Why did I become so anxious whenever a problem came up? Why did I worry about things that were outside my control? I began to ask God to strengthen my faith, come closer to me, and give me peace. More »