Brothers and Sisters,

Blessed Holy Week to you all!

Matthew tells us that Judas has already made plans to betray Jesus even before the Passover meal. This moment of betrayal stands in complete contrast to the dinner Jesus has been celebrating with his friends when an unnamed woman comes to Jesus and bathes his feet in perfumed oil (not included in our selection for today). It is interesting how she gives her most precious gift to Jesus freely and Judas in accepting the silver from the priests turns his back on the Lord.

What was it that disillusioned Judas and made him go from one of the chosen twelve to now betraying his Master and Lord? His anger seems to have come from within, because whatever his discontent it was never recognized by his comrades, which seems to make the betrayal that much the worse. Notice when you read the passion how shocked they are when they realize what Judas has done. Whatever his motivation, Judas now cements his place of infamy in history.

The text starts with Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem. At some point Judas must have slipped away from the group and sought out the authorities to negotiate a price for his evil plan. A settlement amounting in thirty pieces of silver is agreed upon. This recalls the words of the Prophet Zechariah, (11:12), where the Lord’s faithful shepherd is valued at the paltry price of thirty pieces of silver.

At the same time, it is also the first day of Passover and the question of where Jesus and his disciples will celebrate the feast. Technically the feast does not start till the first day referred to as ‘Nisan’, however many families celebrated a festive meal the night before when Jewish homes were cleared of leavened bread in preparation for the feast to come. A sort of pre-celebration, celebration. Whatever the case, we are left with the idea that Jesus has made prior arrangements before his arrival and the room has been reserved. The disciples are told to go into the city and find a certain man, once they have found him, they are to use what we might call a password and this man will show them the room he has reserved for them. Mark and Luke tell us it is a large upper room. It is here the wine and foods for the Passover meal will be prepared.

Passover for every Jew was and continues to be for the faithful a momentous occasion.  This Passover, however, will be unique as Jesus’ appointed time draws near. The Passover was a festive meal. The diners reclined on cushions sharing food placed on a low table sharing from a communal plate at the center of the table. The time comes for the feast and Jesus and his disciples are gathered. It is after sundown. During the festivities, Jesus declares that one of his faithful followers will betray him.

Do you think that Judas set out to betray Jesus? In my heart, I want to believe that there was something good in Judas. Why would Jesus, who knew men’s hearts better than they knew themselves have chosen him? I can’t believe that he chose him simply because he knew he would be weak or that he had the propensity for evil in his heart. That’s too easy. Somewhere in those early days of his ministry when Jesus was picking his disciples, Jesus had to see some redeeming qualities in Judas in order to choose him. I mean, if Judas was evil to the core, would not he or at least the other disciples have seen it in him and shunned him, or at least questioned the choice? Let’s face it, none of them were “A listers”. None of them came to Jesus as the best and the brightest of their generation, at least not by society’s standards. So, as tainted, or poor an image that Judas, or for that, matter any of the disciples might have presented, Jesus obviously saw something in them that no one else could see. Something more. However, in these last days, where Peter will find redemption for his failures, Judas will realize his guilt too late and rather than following Peter who seeks forgiveness for his failures, he will take his own life in despair. All for 30 pieces of silver. What went wrong?

How many times have I set out in a relationship, business deal, or promise and when I feel it’s not working to my benefit, have I cashed in my chips, regardless of the cost to others? Who have I betrayed when things weren’t going my way? Who have I hurt by my betrayal? How many times have I been so self-centered or self-absorbed that I have made decisions that hurt or even damaged others? With whom do I need to make an amends? As we begin this holiest of weeks, I invite you to sit down and put pen to paper and make a list of those whom you have hurt. Maybe it’s time to sit down write them a note asking forgiveness of those whom like Judas you have hurt. It’s not too late. We can choose to be Peter – seeking forgiveness, or like Judas – lost in despair. Choose to be Peter.

Blessed Holy Week,

Fr. Steve