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Shall we betray Jesus today?

Meditation on justice and peace for the Wednesday of Holy Week

Readings: Isaiah 50: 4-9 -- Matthew 26:4-25 -- Psalm 69

Today we read again of God's Suffering Servant. He is well spoken to those who are weary. His words bring life and resuscitation.
He gives his back to be beaten, his face is not shielded from blows and spit. He is steadfast and certain throughout persecution
and will triumph over those who persecute him.

SO the price for Jesus was 30 pieces of silver. Not exactly a princely sum, no doubt the rulers thought they were getting a bargain.

What price do we receive when we betray our Lord? Do we receive the approbation of our friends and families? Do we get a feeling of pride
as we see our nation march off to war that somehow validates us as human beings? When we turn away from the homeless -- and from the
children of Iraq and Afghanistan -- do we justify our actions by feelings of personal superiority. "I am sure glad I am not like him." Or her as the
case may be.

We willingly participate in the sins of the modern era and plead as an excuse, "Well, isn't everybody doing thus and such? What Judas did was monstrously wrong,
but before we rise up against him, shouldn't we first ask ourselves how we have betrayed the Jesus who is among us today?

Prayer intentions today:

+ Pray for a tender conscience regarding the sin of betraying the Jesus who is among us today.

Praxis today:

+ Today is a day of quiet before the storm. Be still and quiet and know that the Lord is God.

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