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

Formerly this day was called "Spy Wednesday" because of the betryal of
Judas was recalled in the Gospels and used in the liturgy. As we look at
the text of Matthew, we easily recognize that he frequently cites or
alludes to the texts of the Old Testament while reading them in the
perspective of Jesus' suffering and death. Isaiah, especially from
chapters 40 to 56 were recalled and also certain psalms as the one we hear
today in the liturgy.In Matthew Judas betrays Jesus during the beginning of
the days of the Unleavened bread feast which was closely attached to the
celebration of the Passover. Matthew helps us to situate Jesus' actions
and words within that time frame today.

We are now familiar with the fact that the Passion Narratives were probably
first written. We have many details about the few days before Jesus' death
and they often coincide within the four Gospels. The differences are
important for they help us discover the theological point of view of each
evangelist who is also a theologian. We are able to join in our reflections
and prayers to what happened to Jesus in his journey toward the cross and
to feel within ourselves the disappointments, rejections, and betrayals of
many who were close to him. Only a few holy women and even fewer of the
disciples remain united with him as he heads toward the cross. Where do
we find ourselves on this day in which we recall Judas' betrayal?

Jesus was always faithful to the spirit of the Torah and to God's will. He
gave it a deeper interpretation--one that came from the heart as well as
from the mind. He knew the halakic and haggadic ways of interpreting the
Torah and did so in a way that challenged those who should have been doing
the same. Doing the will of the Father and observing the spirit of the
precepts and commandments was his message of truth. He spoke in a prophetic
way that people did not want to hear or believe. There is even today a
trend among some to get rid of any prophetic voice that goes against the
wayward thinking of many who deliver threats, voice hatred, and tear down
many who are in positions of authority whether civil or ecclesial. This
situation existed in the past before Jesus against the prophets and
continues to this day.

We can easily see from Isaiah that Jesus had a "well trained tongue" and
that his face was focused on arriving in Jerusalem and then accomplishing
at Luke says "what must be done." He had set his face like flint and would
do the will of the Father accepting the fact that he could not overturn the
chalice of suffering. "Not my will but thine be done" is his prayer and
should also be ours. Besides believing in Jesus we need to learn from him
how to challenge the culture of death, hatred, and lies. Only prophetic
voices can do this in union with the Lord. Amen.