ISAIAH:

SWORD AND ARROW

 
The title of my homily is, “Isaiah: Sword and Arrow.”
 
If we were asked - in a creative exercise during a retreat or a workshop -  to come up with an object that we sense would describe us, what would that object be?
 
I know that I’ve been on workshops and retreats when a similar question was asked: If you were a dog, what kind of dog would you think describes you? Poodle, rottweiler, German shepherd. St. Bernard? What?  If you were a chair, what kind of a chair would you be: Lazy Boy, folding chair, piano stool, couch? What?
 
Well, in today’s first reading from Isaiah 49:1-6, Isaiah – it’s second-Isaiah – and it’s part of one of the Servant Songs - Isaiah describes himself using two objects: a sharp-edged sword and a polished arrow.  But he gives a nuance for both of them – pretty much both having the same characteristic. The sword is concealed in the shadow of his arm and the arrow  is hidden in his quiver.
 
Based on history as well as the New Testament,   Isaiah is the Number One prophet. His words are used as swords and arrows when necessary. They hit their target every time. And we all know very well the power of words as described in  Hebrews: “The word of God is something alive and active: it cuts like any double-edged sword but more finely. It can judge the secret emotions and thoughts. No created thing can hide from him.  Everything is uncovered and open to the eyes of the one to whom we must give account of ourselves.” [Cf. Hebrews 4: 12-13.]
 
From that we know the value of reading the scriptures – knowing the word of God can get to our deepest self – to the parts of us we hide – to the parts of us we need to make a good accounting of.
 
Isaiah can do that.  We can read him and hear both the human and God callings: to realize we are from God’s womb – that we are called to be servants – that God is our strength – that we are called to be a light to the nations – so that God’s salvation reaches to the ends of the earth.
 
One short last comment. Thinking of the nuance Isaiah uses that the sword is hidden in the shadow of his arm and the arrow is hidden in his quiver, I don’t think Isaiah meant the following – but it’s something that hit me. Maybe what Isaiah actually had in mind will hit me next year. But last night this is what hit me:  we need to be careful of the power of our words. Our tongues can be sharp as swords at times and we might hurt each other. Silence. Study. Kindness. Taking our time with thinking before we speak – might be the way to go when it comes to communication with each other.