Wednesday of Holy Week
Lectionary: 259
The Lord GOD has
given me
a well-trained
tongue,
That I might know
how to speak to the weary
a word that will
rouse them.
Morning after
morning
he opens my ear
that I may hear;
And I have not
rebelled,
have not turned
back.
I gave my back to
those who beat me,
my cheeks to those
who plucked my beard;
My face I did not
shield
from buffets and
spitting.
The Lord GOD is my
help,
therefore I am not
disgraced;
I have set my face
like flint,
knowing that I
shall not be put to shame.
He is near who
upholds my right;
if anyone wishes to
oppose me,
let us appear
together.
Who disputes my
right?
Let him confront
me.
See, the Lord GOD
is my help;
who will prove me
wrong?
R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me.
For your sake I
bear insult,
and shame covers my
face.
I have become an
outcast to my brothers,
a stranger to my
mother’s sons,
because zeal for
your house consumes me,
and the insults of
those who blaspheme you fall upon me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Insult has broken
my heart, and I am weak,
I looked for
sympathy, but there was none;
for consolers, not
one could I find.
Rather they put
gall in my food,
and in my thirst
they gave me vinegar to drink.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
I will praise the
name of God in song,
and I will glorify
him with thanksgiving:
“See, you lowly
ones, and be glad;
you who seek God,
may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears
the poor,
and his own who are
in bonds he spurns not.”
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Hail to you, our
King;
you alone are
compassionate with our errors.
Hail to you, our
King, obedient to the Father;
you were led to
your crucifixion like a gentle lamb to the slaughter.
One of the Twelve,
who was called Judas Iscariot,
went to the chief
priests and said,
“What are you
willing to give me
if I hand him over
to you?”
They paid him
thirty pieces of silver,
and from that time
on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.
On the first day of
the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
the disciples
approached Jesus and said,
“Where do you want
us to prepare
for you to eat the
Passover?”
He said,
“Go into the city
to a certain man and tell him,
‘The teacher says,
AMy appointed time draws near;
in your house I
shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.”‘“
The disciples then
did as Jesus had ordered,
and prepared the
Passover.
When it was
evening,
he reclined at
table with the Twelve.
And while they were
eating, he said,
“Amen, I say to
you, one of you will betray me.”
Deeply distressed
at this,
they began to say
to him one after another,
“Surely it is not
I, Lord?”
He said in reply,
“He who has dipped
his hand into the dish with me
is the one who will
betray me.
The Son of Man
indeed goes, as it is written of him,
but woe to that man
by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.
It would be better
for that man if he had never been born.”
Then Judas, his
betrayer, said in reply,
“Surely it is not
I, Rabbi?”
He answered, “You
have said so.”
Meditation: The
tragedy of the betrayal
Why did Judas betray his Master? Was his treachery motivated by
greed, bitter disappointment with Jesus, or hatred because of disillusionment?
It may be that Judas never intended for his Master to die. Maybe he thought
Jesus was proceeding too slowly and not acting aggressively enough in setting
up his messianic kingdom. Perhaps Judas wanted to force Jesus' hand by
compelling him to act. Nonetheless, his tragedy was his refusal to accept Jesus
as he was.
Origen (185-254 AD), a bible scholar and early church father,
comments on Judas' betrayal:
"Let us consider what Judas said to the Jewish priests: What
will you give me if I hand him over to you? He was willing to take
money in exchange for handing over the Word of God. They do the same thing who
accept sensual or worldly goods in exchange for handing over and casting out
from their souls the Savior and Word of truth who came to dwell with them.
Indeed, it would be fitting to apply Judas's example to all who show contempt
for the Word of God and betray him, as it were, by committing sin for the sake
of money or for any selfish motive. People who behave in this way appear openly
to be calling out to the powers of the enemy who offer worldly gain in return
for the sin of betraying God's Word, saying, What will you give me if I
hand him over to you? And they gave him thirty pieces of silver.
The number of coins they gave Judas was equivalent to the number
of years the Savior had sojourned in this world. For at the age of thirty, he
was baptized and began to preach the gospel, like Joseph was thirty years old
when he began to gather grain for his brothers (Genesis 41:46). Just as at that
time the grain was prepared by God for the sons of Israel but given also to the
Egyptians, so also the gospel was prepared for the saints but preached also to
the unfaithful and wicked." (Commentary on Matthew 78.)
Jesus knew beforehand what would befall him. As Jesus ate the
passover meal with his twelve apostles he put them under trial and suspicion (one
of you will betray me) to teach them to examine themselves rightly, lest
they be high-minded and think themselves more strong than they were. We, also
must examine ourselves in the light of God's truth and grace and ask him to
strengthen us in faith, hope, and love that we may not fail him or forsake him
when we are tempted. Do you pray with confidence in the words Jesus gave us to
pray: Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Matthew
6:13)?
"God our Father, we are exceedingly frail and indisposed to
every virtuous and gallant undertaking. Strengthen our weakness, we beseech
you, that we may do valiantly in this spiritual war; help us against our own
negligence and cowardice, and defend us from the treachery of our unfaithful
hearts; for Jesus Christ's sake." (Prayer of Thomas a Kempis)
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Unmasking the Betrayer
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April 1, 2015.
Wednesday of Holy Week
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By Father James Swanson, LC
Matthew 26:14-25
One of the Twelve, who was called Judas
Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to
give me if I hand him over to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of
silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached
Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the
Passover?" He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell
him, ´The teacher says, "My appointed time draws near; in your house I
shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples."´" The disciples
then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover. When it was evening,
he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said,
"Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me." Deeply distressed
at this, they began to say to him one after another, "Surely it is not
I, Lord?" He said in reply, "He who has dipped his hand into the
dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it
is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It
would be better for that man if he had never been born." Then Judas, his
betrayer, said in reply, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?" He answered,
"You have said so."
Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I wish to accompany you closely
on the road to Calvary. If I were to contemplate you more often as you
hang scourged and bloody upon the cross, I’m certain I would be able to rest
in your love and base my actions on that one truth. I know that you have
loved me with an eternal love: you have proven it there on the wood of the
cross. So I long to respond with gratitude, peace and the firm determination
to spread your love to everyone.
Petition: Lord Jesus, help me to stay strong in my
faith.
1. One of the Twelve a Traitor? We often think that Judas must have been
different, obviously worse than the other disciples. If that were true, everyone
would have suspected him when Jesus said, “One of you will betray me.” They
would have thought: “It must be Judas. He’s always been bad. He’s capable of
betraying Jesus. I don’t know why Jesus picked him.” Instead, Judas did not
stand out as any worse than they were. If he did, they would have immediately
suspected him. Each one of us, as well, could become a Judas little by
little, first by giving up our principles on smaller matters and then later
on more important matters. In the Christian life there always needs to be a
healthy tension of straining forward and of watchfulness. The one who is
trustworthy in small matters is trustworthy in greater matters.
2. Is It I? The apostles are all asking, “Is it I?” Why?
Was there some widespread desire to betray him of which they were barely
keeping control? No, but they were in a very dangerous situation. The
Pharisees had decided to kill Jesus. The apostles know it. That’s why the
whole group had gone to stay in Jericho for a while. Jerusalem was too dangerous.
They can imagine themselves following Jesus to the Temple the next day, being
singled out in the crush of the crowd and then having their life threatened
to provide information about where Jesus can be found at night. They wonder
what they would say. With my life on the line would I betray Jesus? This is
why they ask, “Is it I?” When push comes to shove, what comes first in my
life? Would I ever consider selling out on Jesus for something or someone
else?
3. Vigilance of the Heart: Judas had everything he needed to be a great
apostle. He had a magnanimous heart, which is why Jesus picked him. God never
destines anyone for failure. So what happened to him? At some point he
stopped working on his friendship with Jesus. Some would point to the moment
of the discourse on the Bread of Life recorded in John 6. Judas couldn’t
accept that he needed to eat Jesus’ body and drink his blood. Jesus must be
wrong, and therefore he is a false Messiah. John 6:64 tells us that Jesus
knew who his betrayer would be. Jesus gives Judas a chance to leave the group
and remain an honest man in John 6:67. Instead, he stays, becoming a
hypocrite – a “devil” in Jesus’ words – and begins the path that will lead to
betrayal. Knowing that my faith is the most precious gift I have received
from God, do I watch over and nourish my faith so that it grows and is
strong?
Conversation with Christ: Lord, I have betrayed you so many times,
even when I do such a simple thing as not saying grace in a restaurant out of
fear that others will realize I am a Catholic. May the experience of your
Passion and death help me to have the courage to live by my convictions at
all times.
Resolution: Today I will live all the demands of my
faith, especially in the moments when they point me out as a follower of
Christ. Today I will not betray him, even in the smallest way.
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WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK, APRIL 1; MATTHEW
26:14-25
(Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 69)
KEY VERSE: "Amen, I say to you, one of you
will betray me" (v 21).
TO KNOW: The prophet Zechariah prefigured Christ
in that his service was rejected even though he was a good shepherd to his
flock. Like Zechariah, Jesus attempted to lead his people with a prophetic and
pastoral ministry, but he ended up suffering at the hands of his enemies. Judas
Iscariot, one of the Twelve Apostles, plotted with the chief priests to betray
Jesus for "thirty pieces of silver," the price of an injured slave
(Ex 21:32; Zec 11:12). Matthew suggested that Judas' motive was greed. But
perhaps it was that Judas never truly understand who Jesus was. The other
disciples called Jesus "Lord" while Judas addressed him as
"rabbi" or "teacher." Although God used Judas' treacherous
act to fulfill the divine plan, the disciple was not absolved from personal
responsibility for his grievous sin.
TO LOVE: Lord Jesus, give me the grace to be faithful to you as I take up my cross
and follow you.
TO SERVE: Have I participated in the Sacrament of
Reconciliation for the ways I have denied the Lord through my words or deeds?
April Fool's Day
Ancient cultures,
including those as varied as the Romans and the Hindus, celebrated New Year's
Day on April 1, which closely follows the vernal equinox (March 20th or March
21st.). In medieval times, much of Europe celebrated March 25, the Feast of
Annunciation, as the beginning of the New Year. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII
ordered a new calendar to replace the old Julian calendar. The Gregorian
calendar called for New Year's Day to be celebrated January 1. Communications
being what they were in those days, many people did not receive the news for
several years. Others refused to accept the new calendar and continued to
celebrate the New Year on April 1. These backward folk, labeled as
"fools," were subject to ridicule and made the butt of practical
jokes.
The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days
of the year. - Mark Twain
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
In our lives, Lord, you make wondrous things happen that deeply
impress us; then as time passes, we forget. Father, deepen my faith in you and
my trust in your love and care for me, so I may be strong when difficult times
occur that will test my love and loyalty to you. I ask for this grace in
Jesus's name, Amen.
April
1
St. Hugh of Grenoble
(1052-1132)
Today’s saint could be a patron for those of us who feel so
overwhelmed by all the problems in the world that we don’t know where to begin.
Hugh, who
served as a bishop in France for 52 years, had his work cut out for him from
the start. Corruption seemed to loom in every direction: the buying and selling
of Church offices, violations of clerical celibacy, lay control of Church
property, religious indifference and/or ignorance. After serving as bishop for
two years, he’d had his fill. He tried disappearing to a monastery, but the
pope called him back to continue the work of reform.
Ironically,
Hugh was reasonably effective in the role of reformer—surely because of his
devotion to the Church but also because of his strong character. In conflicts
between Church and state he was an unflinching defender of the Church. He
fearlessly supported the papacy. He was eloquent as a preacher. He restored his
own cathedral, made civic improvements in the town and weathered a brief exile.
Hugh may
be best known as patron and benefactor of St. Bruno, founder of the Carthusian
Order.
Hugh died
in 1132. He was canonized only two years later.
LECTIO DIVINA:
MATTHEW 26,14-25
Lectio:
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Lent Time
1) Opening prayer
God our Father,
when the hour of your Son Jesus had come
to accept suffering and death
out of love of you
and his saving love for us, he did not refuse that suffering and deep pain.
In the hour of trial
that we may have to pass through,
do not let us become rebellious
but keep us trusting in you,
for you save us
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 26, 14-25
One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the
chief priests and said, 'What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to
you?' They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from then onwards he began to look
for an opportunity to betray him.
Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say,
'Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?' He
said, 'Go to a certain man in the city and say to him, "The Master says:
My time is near. It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my
disciples." ' The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the
Passover.
When evening came he was at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating
he said, 'In truth I tell you, one of you is about to betray me.' They were
greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, 'Not me, Lord, surely?' He
answered, 'Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me will betray
me. The Son of man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but
alas for that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! Better for that man if he
had never been born!' Judas, who was to betray him, asked in his turn, 'Not me,
Rabbi, surely?' Jesus answered, 'It is you who say it.'
3) Reflection
• Yesterday the Gospel spoke of the betrayal of Judas and of the
denial of Peter. Today, it speaks once again of the betrayal of Judas. In the
description of the Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, the failure of
the disciples is strongly stressed. In spite of having lived three years
together with Jesus, not one of them defends Jesus. Judas betrays him, Peter
denies him, and the others flee. Matthew narrates everything, not to criticize
or to condemn, neither to discourage the readers, but in order to underline
that acceptance and the love of Jesus exceed the defeat and the failure of the
disciples! This way of describing the attitude of Jesus was a help for the
Communities at the time of Matthew. Because of the frequent persecutions, many
were discouraged and had abandoned the community and asked themselves: “Will it
be possible to return? Will God accept and forgive us?” Matthew responds by
suggesting that we can break the relationship with Jesus, but Jesus never
breaks it with us. His love is greater than our infidelity. This is a very
important message which we get from the Gospel during Holy Week.
• Matthew 26, 14-16: The Decision of Judas to betray Jesus. Judas took the
decision after Jesus did not accept the criticism of the disciples concerning
the woman who wastes a very expensive perfume only to anoint Jesus (Mt 26,
6-13). He went to the chief priest and asked: “What are you prepared to give me
if I hand him over to you?” They agreed on the sum of thirty silver pieces.
Matthew recalls the words of the Prophet Zechariah to describe the price agreed
upon (Zc 11, 12). At the same time, the betrayal of Jesus for thirty silver
coins recalls the sale of Joseph by his brothers, decided by the buyers for
twenty coins (Gn 37, 28). It also reminds the price of thirty coins to be paid
for the wounding of a slave (Ex 21, 32).
• Matthew 26, 17-19: The preparation for the Passover. Jesus was coming from
Galilee. He did not have a house in Jerusalem. He spent the night in the Garden
of Olives (cf. Jn 8, 1). In the days of the feast of the Passover the people of
Jerusalem increased three times in number because of the enormous number of
pilgrims who went there from all parts. For Jesus it was not easy to find a big
room where to celebrate the Passover together with the pilgrims coming from
Galilee, as himself. He ordered his disciples to find a person in whose house
he had decided to celebrate the Passover. The Gospel does not offer any other
information and allows the imagination to complete what is missing in the
information. Was this a person known by Jesus? A relative? A disciple?
Throughout the centuries the imagination of the Apocrypha has known how to
complete this information, but with little credibility.
• Matthew 26, 20-25: The announcement of the betrayal of Judas. Jesus knew that
he will be betrayed. In spite of the fact that Judas did things secretly. Jesus
knew. But in spite of that, he wants to act fraternally with the group of
friends to which Judas belongs. When all were together for the last time, Jesus
announces who is the traitor “Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish
with me will betray me”. This way of announcing the betrayal renders even
clearer the contrast. For the Jews, the communion around the table, to dip the
hand together in the same dish, was the maximum expression of intimacy and
trust. In this way, Matthew suggests that in spite of the betrayal made by
someone who was a friend, the love of Jesus is greater than the betrayal!
• What strikes in the way in which Matthew describes these facts? Between the
denial and the betrayal there is the institution of the Eucharist (Mt 26,
26-29): the betrayal of Judas first (Mt 26, 20-25); the denial of Peter and the
flight of the disciples, afterwards (Mt 25, 30-35). Thus, he stressed for us
the incredible gratuitousness of the love of Jesus, which exceeds the betrayal,
the denial and the flight of the friends. His love does not depend on what
others do for him.
4) Personal questions
• Am I capable of being like Judas and to deny and betray God,
Jesus, the friends?
• In Holy Week it is important to reserve some moments to become aware of the
unbelievable gratuity of God’s love for me.
5) Concluding Prayer
Sing to God, play music to his name,
build a road for the Rider of the Clouds,
rejoice in Yahweh, dance before him.
Father of orphans, defender of widows,
such is God in his holy dwelling. (Ps 68,4-5)
