Wednesday of Holy Week

Reflection

Lent is a special time in the liturgical calendar, a time of recognition and repentance in preparation for the renewal of Easter.  Our current era of self-affirmation and positivity can make it hard to face sin and its impacts honestly, but we should not fear this.  The Gospel story of Judas’ betrayal gives an allegory of sin.  There is an enticement, the thirty pieces of silver, but the cost is betraying Jesus, the turning away from God that is the essence of sin.  Judas denies his betrayal.  Not only does Jesus see through him as God sees through evasion of sin, but says to him, “You have said so,” leaving it to Judas to own the betrayal, as we must each own our own sin. Judas casts away the silver in the end, for the gain is never worth the cost of betrayal and remorse.  The thirty pieces of silver is the cost of a slave.  Judas has been enslaved by his betrayal, locked into a course of action, as we can feel trapped by the consequences of sin. The story is bleak, and the ending horrific.  How do we come to terms  this, and with Jesus’ words, “It would be better for that man if he had never been born”?   I don’t know the answer to this, but do see one the very darkest stories of the New Testament setting the stage for the brilliant light, hope, and glory of the resurrection. Judas is the darkest hour before the dawn.  We see and feel viscerally death that is the desolation of sin and betrayal contrasted with the freely given selfless death of Christ on the cross that leads to the redemption of the world.  And then there, in the moments of Christ’s death, we are given the story of the good thief, of how acknowledging our wrongs and affirming our faith will bring us closer to God on earth and in heaven. 

Prayer

Dear Lord, let me face honestly my sins and betrayal of You and help me confess and seek Your mercy in this time of Lent.   Draw me near to You in in every way, I pray.

Jo Ellis-Monaghan, Professor of Mathematics

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34
Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website