Tuesday, March 31, 2015
WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK
April 1, 2015 - WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK
Violet
Is 50: 4 - 9a / Mt 26:14 - 25
Reading: Is 50:4 - 9a
The Lord Yahweh has taught me so I speak as his disciple and I know how to sustain the weary. Morning after morning he wakes me up to hear, to listen like a disciple.
The Lord Yahweh has opened my ear. I have not rebelled, nor have I withdrawn.
I offered my back to those who strike me, my cheeks to those who pulled my beard; neither did I shield my face from blows, spittle and disgrace.
I have not despaired, for the Lord Yahweh comes to my help. So, like a flint I set my face, knowing that I will not be disgraced.
He who avenges me is near. Who then will accuse me? Let us confront each other. Who is now my accuser? Let him approach.
If the Lord Yahweh is my help, who will condemn me?
Gospel: Mt 26:14 - 25
Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went off to the chief priests and said, "How much will you give me if I hand him over to you?" They promised to give him thirty pieces of silver, and from then on he kept looking for the best way to hand him over to them.
On the first day of the Festival of the Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said to him, "Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?" Jesus answered, "Go into the city, to the house of a certain man, and tell him: 'The Master says: My hour is near, and I will celebrate the Passover with my disciples in your house."
The disciples did as Jesus had ordered and prepared the Passover meal.
When it was evening, Jesus sat at table with the Twelve. While they were eating, Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you: one of you will betray me." They were deeply distressed and asked him in turn, "You do not mean me, do you, Lord?"
He answered, "He who will betray me is one of those who dips his bread in the dish with me. The Son of Man is going as the Scriptures say he will. But alas for that one who betrays the Son of Man; better for him not to have been born." Judas, who was betraying him, also asked, "You do not mean me, Master, do you?" Jesus replied, "You have said it."
Reflection:
The betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, one of his chosen Twelve, is highlighted in the Gospel reading for Wednesday of Holy Week.
At a dinner at the home of Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead, Mary "took a pound of costly perfume made from genuine nard and anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair. And the whole house was filled with the fragrance from the perfume. Judas, son of Simon Iscariot -- he disciple who was to betray Jesus -- remarked, 'This perfume could have been sold for three hundred silver coins, and turned over to the poor.' Judas indeed had no concern for the poor; he was a thief and as he held the common purse, he used to help himself to the funds. But Jesus spoke up, 'Leave her alone. Was she not keeping it for my burial? (The poor you always have with you, but you will not always have me.)'" (Jn 12: 3 – 8)
At the arrest of Jesus, in Luke's account, Jesus asks Judas, "Did you need this kiss to betray the Son of Man?" In Matthew's account, Jesus tells Judas, "Friend, do what you came for."
"When Judas, the traitor, realized that Jesus had been condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, 'I have sinned by betraying an innocent man to death.' " He felt remorse but did not seek mercy and pardon from Jesus: in despair "he went away and hanged himself." (Mt 27: 3 – 5)
Judas' betrayal, despair and suicide are in sharp contrast to Peter's betrayal of Jesus as he had predicted at the Last Supper, "Truly, I tell you, the cock will not crow before you have denied me three times." After Peter's denials, "The Lord turned around and looked at Peter and he remembered the word that the Lord had spoken. . . . Peter went outside, weeping bitterly." (Lk 22: 61 – 62)
And after the resurrection, Peter professed his love for the Lord, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." And the Lord gave Peter the charge of his Church, "Feed my sheep. . . Follow me."
WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:
BIRTHDAY
LORRAINE PHILIPPS N. SY
MARIA TIU TOC
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
JAYSON & AIMEE KHONG HUN
OTHER INTENTIONS:
Healings for Marge R, Ed, Brandy's mom, Joey C, Benny & Elaine.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
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# posted by F O O D F O R T H O U G H T @ 10:42 AM 
