Matthew 26:14-25
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."
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for the repose of the soul of Lourdes Tigno and for comfort for her family.
As I reflected on today's reading, I thought about how Jesus gave Judas the opportunity to repent. Jesus brought out what was in Judas' heart and brought it to the light, not to condemn him, but to give him the opportunity to recognize his sin.
We are about to enter into the "Liturgical Pinnacle" of the year starting with Holy Thursday. If you haven't had a chance to turn to God and repent for the ways you have hurt him, now is the time. Jesus is offering you His mercy now. Run to the sacrament of reconciliation and be free from the slavery that holds you back from living in His freedom. Take care and God Bless.
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