01/04/2026
HOLY WEDNESDAY
In the Gospel reading today, we see Judas going to the chief priests and agreeing to hand Jesus over for thirty pieces of silver. At the Last Supper, when Jesus reveals a betrayal is coming, the disciples ask in sorrow, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” Even Judas asks, even though his mind was already made up. And still—Jesus shares the meal with him.
WHAT WE LEARN FROM THIS:
Judas did not begin as a villain. He was called. He followed. He listened. He ate with Jesus. And yet, somewhere along the way, love slowly became negotiable. That is the sadness of the Gospel.
WE RARELY ABANDON CHRIST DRAMATICALLY.
WE TRADE HIM QUIETLY.
Not for thirty pieces of silver, but for comfort over courage, approval over truth, convenience over fidelity, silence when love asks us to stand firm. And still — this is the tender part of the story — Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, yet He still shared the bread. It means, He does not love us because we are faithful. He remains faithful even when we struggle to be. So the Gospel is sad, but it is also hopeful. Because HOLY WEEK IS NOT ONLY ABOUT BETRAYAL. IT IS ABOUT A LOVE THAT REFUSES TO WITHDRAW — EVEN FROM BETRAYERS!
Blessed Holy Wednesday, everyone
GOSPEL READING:
Matthew 26:14-25
Jesus 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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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