Isaiah
Chapter 63
Who is this coming from Edom,majestically arrayed in crimson garments from Bozrah, marching in great strength? “It is I, proclaiming justice, I who am powerful to save.”
Why are your clothes red? Such garments have those who tread the wine press.
“Alone I have trod the grapes; not one of my people was with me. I trampled them in my anger, I trod them down in my wrath, their lifeblood spattering my garments, staining with crimson all my raiment.
For I had set a day of vengeance and my year of redemption had come.
I looked about: there was no one to help. I was appalled: there was no one to give support. My own arm, then, brought about the victory, and my own fury supported me.
I crushed the people in my anger, I trampled them down in my wrath, and on the earth I poured their lifeblood.”
Historical Meditation
I will sing in praise of the Lord and recall his kindness, according to all that he has done for us, his great goodness to the family of Israel. He has granted us mercy in the abundance of his blessings.
For he said: “Surely they are my people, children who will not be disloyal.” So he proved himself their Savior
in all their trials. It was not a messenger or an angel but he himself who delivered them. Out of his love and mercy, he redeemed them, lifting them up and carrying them throughout the ages.
Yet they rebelled, giving grief to his holy spirit. So he turned and became their enemy, fighting against them.
His people then remembered the days of old, the days of Moses. Where is he who brought them out of the sea, the shepherd of his flock? Where is he who poured out his holy spirit in their midst,
who sent his own power to accompany Moses, who divided the waters before them, winning for himself eternal renown,
who made them go through the depths as easily as a horse in the wilderness?
Like cattle going down into the valley, they did not stumble. The spirit of the Lord led them to their rest; you guided your people, winning for yourself glorious renown.
Invocation to God the Father
Look down from heaven; look down from your holy and glorious throne. Where are your zeal and strength, the yearning of your heart, and your compassion? How long will you ignore our pain?
For you are our Father, whereas Abraham does not know us, nor has Israel any knowledge of us. But you, O Lord, are our Father, from the beginning. You are our redeemer: this is your name.
Why have you made us stray from your ways? Why have you made our hearts hard so that we do not fear you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your inheritance.
Why have irreligious people invaded your Sanctuary? Why have our enemies trampled it down?
The People Ask for a Theophany
For too long we have become like those you do not rule, like those who do not bear your name. Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down! The mountains would quake at your presence.
Commentaries
of the Victorious Savior.
The themes of light, glory, and transformation continue to develop here against the backdrop of wedding motifs. God will no longer complain about Jerusalem; on the contrary, she will now be his delight and his joy (4). Life in the new heaven and the new earth means that the people will enjoy the fruits of their labor (Is 65:17-25).
Historical Meditation.
This poem is a lament by the community in exile, acknowledging its past unfaithfulness and recalling the wonders God performed during the exodus. The return from exile is often compared to a new exodus. The prophet, speaking on behalf of the people, calls for divine protection on their behalf.
Invocation to God the Father.
Although Abraham is considered the father of Israel (cf. Is 51:2), in times of exile, he cannot help them because he is a distant figure in his-tory (16). Only God is a present and redeeming father.
The People Ask for a Theophany.
A glorious manifestation of God, like the one the people had experienced at the foot of Mount Sinai (Ex 19:16-20), is evoked in the baptism of Jesus when the heavens opened (Mt 3:16; Mk 1:10; Lk 3:21).