JUDAS ISCARIOT (MT 26:14-25)
Prayer:
Jesus, may I always be loyal to you.
Imagination:
Picture Jesus at the Last Supper.
Context:
Jesus often spoke about his betrayal. Up to now however, Jesus never revealed his betrayer or said openly that he would come from the twelve. Now he must focus on this issue. So, Jesus reveals Judas as the one and determines the time by telling Judas to leave the Upper Room.
Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)
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.”
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)
- What a tragic story. Judas, called to be close to Jesus, becomes the knife in Jesus’ heart.
- Jesus often spoke about this moment. Now, it could not be postponed.
- Because of their simplicity, the other apostles worry if it could be themselves.
- The Beloved Disciple is so close to Jesus’ heart that Jesus tell him who his betrayer is.
- Jesus is still in control. He determines the time of the betrayal by telling Judas to act now.
- ‘It was night” everywhere – in Judas’ soul, in Jesus’ broken heart and in world history. This was the darkest moment.
Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- O Jesus, by your grace, my life will not be a tragic story.
- You call me to greatness. You have prepared a place for me at your table.
- Give me the simplicity of the apostles who were loyal to you.
- I will place my head on your breast and experience the love in your Sacred Heart.
- O Jesus, to depart from you is the darkest night. Hold on to me.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ I will value my friendship with Jesus above every other prize.
+ I will be faithful to my friends.
Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)
One of you will betray me.