Isaiah 63:1. "Who is this that comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he that is glorious in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? 'It is I, announcing vindication, mighty to save.'”

Isaiah asks, for all those who do not know, who this is who comes forth in crimson garments, marching in His great strength, to which God replies that it is He, announcing His vindication and coming to save His people. Isaiah next asks why His garments are red, and God replies that in His anger He has trodden the wine press alone, the lifeblood of the people has stained His raiment (Isaiah 63:2-3).

This is God in His vengeance. No one will fail to notice Him when He comes like this, but those who do not know Him may well ask "Who is this? What is happening?" Many years after Isaiah, God, in the person of Jesus, will again trod the wine press alone, deserted by those who followed Him. This time, though, it will be His own blood being shed. But Jesus knows well this aspect of the Father. While His sacrifice satisfied God's just wrath with us, enabling us to receive His mercy, Jesus Himself will one day return as the Just Judge. No one will fail to notice Him then, either, although they may ask "Who is this? What is happening?" We should strive to be the people who know exactly who this is, the people who have received His mercy, and encouraged others to do so as well.

In the Catena Legionis, part of the daily prayers for the Legion of Mary, the Antiphon is "Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?" I love this so much, and I love the way it mimics God's arrival in this verse of Isaiah. If we want to know who Jesus is, Mary is the person to show us. She is right beside Jesus. She suffered right along with Him, and she is now with Him in His glory. She is our perfect mother, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, but also terrible as an army set in battle array when she needs to be.

If we come to know Jesus through Mary, we will never wonder "Who is this?" She will lead us to Him and His mercy, she will keep us with her, and thus with Him, and she will prepare us for everything that is to come.