God does not lead His children around hardship, but leads them straight through
hardship. But He leads! And amidst the hardship, He is nearer to them than ever before.
... Otto Dibelius (1880-1967) What helps you trust in God's leading?
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Isaiah
50:4-9a
Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34 Matthew 26:14-25 One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?’ They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he
looked for an opportunity to betray him.
Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the passover?’ ‘Go to so-and-so in the city’ he replied ‘and say to him, “The Master says: My time is near. It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples.”’ The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the Passover.
When evening came he was at table with the twelve
disciples. And while they were eating he said ‘I tell you solemnly, one of you is about to betray me.’ They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, ‘Not I, Lord, surely?’ He answered, ‘Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me, will betray me. The Son of Man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!’ Judas, who was to betray him; asked in his turn, ‘Not
I, Rabbi, surely?’ ‘They are your own words’ answered Jesus.
Reflection on the Scriptures
A blessed holy week to all. Today is the last day before the Triduum begins, so I look to these readings for a final preparation before we witness a great sacrifice and glorious resurrection in the coming days. But, before we get to the
resurrection, we must endure the sacrifice. I asked myself how I wanted to prepare for the celebration this year, and I thought I would put myself in Jesus’ shoes. If I were Him, what would I be feeling toward Judas, toward God, and toward the people of the earth? When I examine the events surrounding Judas, I ask myself: If I knew someone would betray me, would I keep them in my
company? Feed them at my table? Treat them with respect? Despite knowing all Judas will do and what it will mean for Him, Jesus acts no differently toward Judas and does nothing to stop the tragic outcome. I think most people would prefer to avoid being hurt if given the choice. I know I would, especially if the betrayal was going to come from such a close friend, as it does in today’s scripture. I think it is important to emphasize that Judas was an intimate friend of Jesus who chose money over
his friend’s life. This was no trivial incident. And yet, Jesus responds with what I can only describe as radical love. What else could be the motivation to fight the baser feelings of frustration, hurt, helplessness, and instead be respectful and await what is coming? There is an element of struggle, of course; Jesus does ask His father to take the cup from him. But ultimately, He is obedient to the Father unto His death. When faced with such struggle myself, can I turn to the Father and trust
in His plan? Can I respond with love when my humanity wants to respond with hate? - by Mirielle Mason
The Imitation of Christ, Thomas A. Kempis https://amzn.to/40FrikB Paperback and Kindle versions available BOOK
ONE: Thoughts Helpful in the Life of a Soul
The Eighteenth Chapter: The Examples Set For Us By The Holy Ancestors They (the desert hermits of old) renounced all riches, dignities, honors, friends, and associates. They desired nothing of the world. They scarcely allowed themselves the necessities of life, and the service of the body, even when necessary, was irksome to them. They were poor in earthly things but rich in grace and virtue. Outwardly destitute, inwardly they were full of grace and divine consolation. Strangers to the world, they were close and intimate friends of God. To
themselves they seemed as nothing, and they were despised by the world, but in the eyes of God they were precious and beloved. They lived in true humility and simple obedience; they walked in charity and patience, making progress daily on the pathway of spiritual life and obtaining great favor with God.
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