Every day of Lent, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
Thirty pieces of silver was all it took for Judas to give away the location of Jesus so that he could be arrested, tortured and killed. Thirty pieces of silver to hand over a former friend and confidant.
And then, as the story is told in the Gospel of Matthew, Judas went back to eat the Passover meal with Jesus. He hid his evil intention from Jesus. But, of course, Jesus knew that Judas had betrayed him.
Jesus said, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me.” And Judas feigned innocence, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” But we all know that it was Judas who would hand Jesus over.
But, what about us? Do we pretend that we are innocent? Do we try to hide our sins from Jesus? Of course, this is not possible to do. So, instead of looking the other way when Jesus accuses us, perhaps we should look toward him with downcast eyes and say, “Forgive me, Lord.”
We should ask for the Lord’s forgiveness in as humble a way as we can during Holy Week. He hung on that cross because we had sinned and had travelled far from God.