Reflection
It is hard for us to accept the difficulties of our lives as needed corrections or opportunities to turn to God. We often feel abandoned by God in those times. Isaiah reminds his people and us that God never abandons us. God sends help and comfort to us. Isaiah, like Christ, will set his face like flint to save God's people.
Psalm 69 expresses our anguish when we feel abandoned by God. It also expresses the gift of faith that helps us to turn to God for His loving response to our needs.
Matthew's Gospel focuses on Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus at the Last Supper. Jesus says, "Amen I say to you, one of you will betray Me." Judas responds, "...Surely it is not I, Rabbi?" This can be a startling reflection to us of our own denial of God, our denial of our need for God. Jesus does not call Judas out or shame him. Jesus instead institutes the perfect sustenance to carry us through our difficulties and then makes the perfect offering for our forgiveness. Jesus helps and comforts us and gives Himself to save God's people.
Prayer
Dear God, please keep our hearts open and humbled so that we always turn to You in times of need and respond with gratitude to You and with help for others. We ask this in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Stephanie Noakes, ’80, M’09, Office of Admission
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
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