Matthew 26:14-25

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34

Matthew 26:14-25

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot,

went to the chief priests and said,

“What are you willing to give me

if I hand him over to you?”

They paid him thirty pieces of silver,

and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,

the disciples approached Jesus and said,

“Where do you want us to prepare

for you to eat the Passover?”

He said,

“Go into the city to a certain man and tell him,

‘The teacher says, "My appointed time draws near;

in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.”‘“

The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered,

and prepared the Passover.

When it was evening,

he reclined at table with the Twelve.

And while they were eating, he said,

“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

Deeply distressed at this,

they began to say to him one after another,

“Surely it is not I, Lord?”

He said in reply,

“He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me

is the one who will betray me.

The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him,

but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.

It would be better for that man if he had never been born.”

Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply,

“Surely it is not I, Rabbi?”

He answered, “You have said so.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, from all eternity you knew you would call and commission your Beloved Son to expiate the sins of your people and restore them to communion with you. Help me to trust always in your divine plan and follow your will as your beloved child and servant.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Prophetic Servant of the Lord: In Isaiah, the Servant of the Lord is called by God (first song), commissioned by God (second song), and disciplined by God (third song). The third song goes deeper into the mystery of the Servant’s prophetic mission and passion. The Servant speaks about his past obedience and sufferings as the disciple of the Lord and how he is confident that the Lord will vindicate him against his opponents. God has given his Servant the ability to speak eloquently, for he has a well-trained tongue, and encouragingly, for he can rouse the weary. The mission to the weary extends to all people: the Jews are weary under the burden of the Law of Moses and the Gentiles are weary under the burden of false idols. The Servant is instructed by God. He hears the word of God daily and communicates this word to all nations. The word that the Servant proclaims is not his own: “I have given them the words which you gave me” (John 17:8).

2. The Plan of God: The Servant submits to suffering at the hands of men because he is obedient to the plan of God. Unlike the people of Israel, the Servant has not been rebellious or unfaithful, for he always does what is pleasing to God. At the hands of men, the Servant will be beaten on his back and scourged, his beard will be pulled out, and his face will be struck and spat upon. Through it all, the Servant is confident that God will help him. He will not be disgraced; he will not be put to shame. This confidence gives him fresh strength to endure the sufferings at hand: “I have set my face like flint.” The Servant addresses his adversaries and challenges them to confront him in a trial. He is sure that God will vindicate him.

3. Judas’s Betrayal: Judas Iscariot becomes one of Jesus’ adversaries and opponents. Instead of confronting Jesus openly and seeking the truth, he sneaks away to betray him in secret. John tells us that Judas was a lover of money and a thief who stole from the community. Jesus taught that one cannot serve both God and money. You will love one and hate the other. Judas never fully accepted Jesus. He is labeled as the one who handed Jesus over after Peter’s confession of faith (John 6:71) and at the anointing at Bethany (John 12:4). Instead of confessing Jesus as the Messiah, the son of God, Judas prefers to seek his own gain from being associated with Jesus. Instead of honoring Jesus, the son of Man, Judas prefers to hide his greed through lying and deceit. Judas is the one who betrayed Jesus. He planned the betrayal in advance and agreed with Jesus’ enemies to the price of 30 pieces of silver. He executed the betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane with a kiss. Whether Judas betrayed Jesus out of greed or because he didn’t accept the way Jesus carried out his messianic mission, the important thing to realize is that Judas gave in to the temptation of the Evil One. Judas seemed to repent when he gave back the money, but his repentance degenerated into desperation and became self-destructive.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, help me to embrace the mystery of redemptive suffering. Help me to see how I can suffer with you and offer myself as a pleasing sacrifice to the Father.

Living the Word of God: Like the Suffering Servant, Jesus Christ, we too are disciplined by God. We are taught by him and we learn obedience through our suffering. We are not always faithful like Jesus. Our infidelity is not a cause for despair, but an opportunity to return to God and fully embrace his love. How can I return to God this week and experience his love?