Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver,

a "potter's field" (a burial ground for strangers), forever linking the money to the betrayal. 

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊      

Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Lord God

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 God 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 I have not rebelled, nor have I withdrawn.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 God 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 God is my help, who will condemn me? All of them will wear out like cloth; the moth will devour them.

 

Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 & 33-34

Lord, in your great love, answer me.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

Matthew 26:14-25

Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went 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 Jesus over to them.

On the first day of the Festival of 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 they asked him,

one after the other, "You do not mean me, do you, Lord?"

He answered, "The one who dips his bread with me will betray 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, the one who would betray him, also asked,

"You do not mean me, Master, do you?" Jesus replied, "You have said it."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Examine our faithfulness to Christ.

The betrayal of Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus's closest companions,

serves as a sobering reminder of human nature's frailty.

Chosen as one of the Twelve, Judas had the privilege of walking alongside Christ

and witnessing His miracles and teachings. Yet, for thirty pieces of silver,

he betrayed the Savior, driven by greed, disillusionment, or perhaps a deeper internal struggle.

 

This act of betrayal highlights the tragic reality of misusing free will

and the consequences of turning away from God's grace.

Judas' betrayal calls us to examine our faithfulness to Christ. In moments of weakness,

fear, or temptation, we, too, can falter – whether by compromising our values,

prioritizing worldly gains, or failing to stand firm in our faith.

Judas' story warns us against complacency,

urging us to remain vigilant in prayer and steadfast in our relationship with God.