Wednesday of Holy Week, April 3, 2007

Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-9. Psalm 69:8-10,21-22,31,33-34. Matthew 26:14-25.
Lectionary # 260:

Matthew's narrative describes the betrayal of Judas on what was
traditionally called "Spy Wednesday" for on this day, Jesus was eventually
handed over to the authorities through the apostle Judas Iscariot. We all
know how betrayals are so devastating to the persons who suffer betryal
from a friend, a confidant, a family member. Such an experience haunts the
victim and wears away at the life of a relationship that was once there.
Jesus experiences it from one of his intimate friends, the Apostle Judas
who sets in motion the trapping of Jesus and the handing of him over to the
religious and political leaders. The betrayal leads to his crucifixion.
Jesus himself tells us that for the betrayor Judas, "It would have been
better had he never been born." Our first reading and the psalm are seen
as effects in the one betrayed and describes the agony and the deep hurt
that remains for a long time. We sense the pain, the anguish, and the
insult heaped upon Jesus who experiences what these two readings say. The
fact that it came from a specially chosen friend makes the pain very
profound and severe. Were it not for the infinite love and mercy of God we
could easily lose all hope if we have been a betrayer and if we have
betrayed someone we loved or admired. Fortunately, God's merciful and
forgiving love extends even to the darkest and most dreadful of sins. God
through Jesus is always inviting us to return to the love that God gave us
and will give us again and again. We are encouraged to turn to God with
all our hearts during this Holy Week. The sacrament of reconciliation is a
powerful and grace-filled remedy for all sins; even the sin of betrayal.
Amen.