Wednesday of Holy Week- The Betrayal
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34
Gospel, Matthew 26:14-25
Themes for reflection:
Do not leave Jesus because of Judas
Lie and Betrayal are twins
Overcome evil by good
Admit your faults
From Silver to Copper
We all betray Jesus whenever we sin, sin is neglecting the love of God that He has for us. Jesus also called Judas to be his follower, Jesus has trust in Him. All of them are called to be sent to proclaim the words and actions of our Lord, yet most of them betray, deny and leave Jesus. This is the same to us as baptized Catholic Christians we have this role to proclaim and that is our role of being a prophet. All of us are disciples and yet we also became Judas. We betray Jesus by our sins. Another thing to reflect on is the way Jesus responds to him: “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” He doesn't become that angry but the shocking words of Jesus are: “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.” This statement of Jesus surely makes us horrified. The gravity of sin is very serious as Jesus said those words. Another point to reflect on is don't leave Jesus because of Judas as the other disciples did. They did not leave Jesus behind, they were faithful until the end but Yes they leave Jesus on His crucifixion we betray Jesus whenever we sin. Whenever we sin we are doing it as if that sin is better than the love of God, the way Jesus responds. Jesus responds without violence, ultimately on the cross. Do not leave Jesus because of Judas for in the end He will triumph as He promised. The betrayal of Judas to Jesus became the means for our redemption and salvation. This is a call for us that sometimes God uses these sins of ours to become the means that leads us to true conversion to God. We can see this on the life of St. Augustine is like a playboy since his childhood, then a moment of grace is shed upon Him, when in the midst of this turmoil of soul, Augustine hears a child's voice saying, “Pick up and read,” prompting Augustine to hasten to the place where his friend Alypius is sitting. There he finds Paul's epistle to the Romans, opens it, and reads Romans 13:13–14.
There is a contrast, in the 1st reading, the Suffering Servant that is to share and to receive the word of God, accepts the challenges of times. In the gospel, Passover moving from slavery to freedom, Passover from slavery of sin to becoming the children of God. But the sad part is the betrayal of one the disciples, and for what? 30 pcs of silver is the price of betrayal, the price of giving up on friendship, for the convenience of 30 pcs of silver, it can be the fear, betrayal is our 30 pcs of silver. The blending of 30 widow’s mites she offered to the Lord, she discovered the real value, the model of generosity and commitment. Copper coin of truths, shares, blessings. Copper coin of fidelity, truth that can be friends and loved ones that gives you new meaning, color and death. What ‘s your 30 pcs of silver that you didn’t realize? How can you change these 30 pieces of silver to 30 copper coins as your offering to the Lord?
