Readings for Wednesday of Holy Week[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Isaiah 50:4-9a
The Lord GOD has given me
a well-trained tongue,
That I might know how to speak to the weary
a word that will rouse them.
Morning after morning
he opens my ear that I may hear;
And I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.
I gave my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
My face I did not shield
from buffets and spitting.
The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.
He is near who upholds my right;
if anyone wishes to oppose me,
let us appear together.
Who disputes my right?
Let him confront me.
See, the Lord GOD is my help;
who will prove me wrong?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Is 50:4-9a
This is the third of the four “Servant of the Lord” oracles from Isaiah. These four comprise the “Suffering Servant” that is the prophetic vision of the Messiah describing the humble ministry of Christ.
In this passage the prophet describes his mission to “…speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.” The “weary” are those born down by oppression and the “Word” that will rouse them is hope in God. In doing this he has incurred the wrath of the powerful, the oppressors but he is steadfast in is mission as his faith in God sustains him, in spite of the persecution he suffers.
We head this same reading on Passion Sunday just four days ago. It sets the tone for what begins tomorrow evening with the Feast of the Lord’s Supper.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34
R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me.
For your sake I bear insult,
and shame covers my face.
I have become an outcast to my brothers,
a stranger to my mother's sons,
because zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak,
I looked for sympathy, but there was none;
for consolers, not one could I find.
Rather they put gall in my food,
and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving:
"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34
This selection is an individual lament, again drawing heavily on the image of the faithful servant who suffers but remains dedicated to God’s law and works. Even in the face of this intense social embarrassment, the psalmist must be faithful because “…zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.” The imagery in this song forces us to look forward to the passion, as Christ’s punishment is prophetically envisioned.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: 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."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mt 26:14-25
We break away from St. John’s account and today hear Judas striking the bargain with members of the Sanhedrin. The thirty pieces of silver is reminiscent of the price paid for the shepherd of the flock to be slaughtered in Zechariah (Zechariah 11:12).
We then hear Matthew’s account of the selection of the place for the Last Supper. Jesus again tells the disciples that one of them will betray him. This time Judas, who has already struck a deal to turn him over to his enemies, answers, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
The conclusion of Christ’s earthly life draws inexorably closer. During this, the heart of Holy Week all of the details are laid before us in stark relief. The song playing in the background is the Suffering Servant’s portrait from Isaiah, acting almost as background music that reminds us even as Christ reclines in peace with his closest friends, the tragedy that must take place draws ever closer. The humiliation that will be the Lord’s floats from the distant past as prophesy in such a way that all that happens seems like déjà vu.
The main feature of the story today is once again the betrayer, Judas. The account from St. Matthew describes how Judas offers to hand Jesus over to the Sanhedrin so that they may prosecute him for blasphemy and sedition. There is no point that the Gospel authors soften their view of Judas. He is motivated by greed, it would seem. And he knows what he is doing. Even when Christ confronts him directly in this account, he feigns innocence "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?"
We wonder if he really believed that the Lord did not know what he had already agreed to do. Judas had seen him speak with those who opposed Jesus before. He had been with him when he lashed out at the Pharisees for their pretense of holiness. How many times must Judas have observed the Lord look past the facades of people and see what was in their hearts? He must have known Jesus knew him; knew what he was going to do.
The grip of geed must have held him tightly indeed if, even after looking into Jesus’ eyes he could still fulfill the bargain he had struck with the Chief Priests and Scribes. We think of other great sinners of history, like Bernard Madoff who must have known that their deeds would be discovered. The forces of greed can so overwhelm some people that they do things that destroy any possibility of redemption in this life. The very idea that Judas went ahead even after his confrontation with Christ tells us he had no remorse for what he was about to do.
We have not cut Judas any slack thus far in our consideration of his impending deed. We have seen the facts laid bare and condemned him; condemned him as only humans can. Even in the last moments when Jesus could have commanded Judas to stop; even at that last moment he could have told the other disciples to restrain Judas; his response was simply “You have said so."
The Lord accepted the faults of even Judas. What great consolation that is for us. If the Lord could do that much for the one who would betray all mankind by destroying their Savior, how much more must he forgive us who struggle but fail to imitate him? Even in our failures his great love buoys us up.
As we consider these events and now rush toward the Tridiuum, let us lay our failings at the feet of the one who forgave even Judas and ask for his mercy. Even as we do so we know we will be forgiven and loved in spite of our weaknesses.
Pax
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Isaiah 50:4-9a
The Lord GOD has given me
a well-trained tongue,
That I might know how to speak to the weary
a word that will rouse them.
Morning after morning
he opens my ear that I may hear;
And I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.
I gave my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
My face I did not shield
from buffets and spitting.
The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.
He is near who upholds my right;
if anyone wishes to oppose me,
let us appear together.
Who disputes my right?
Let him confront me.
See, the Lord GOD is my help;
who will prove me wrong?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Is 50:4-9a
This is the third of the four “Servant of the Lord” oracles from Isaiah. These four comprise the “Suffering Servant” that is the prophetic vision of the Messiah describing the humble ministry of Christ.
In this passage the prophet describes his mission to “…speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.” The “weary” are those born down by oppression and the “Word” that will rouse them is hope in God. In doing this he has incurred the wrath of the powerful, the oppressors but he is steadfast in is mission as his faith in God sustains him, in spite of the persecution he suffers.
We head this same reading on Passion Sunday just four days ago. It sets the tone for what begins tomorrow evening with the Feast of the Lord’s Supper.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34
R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me.
For your sake I bear insult,
and shame covers my face.
I have become an outcast to my brothers,
a stranger to my mother's sons,
because zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak,
I looked for sympathy, but there was none;
for consolers, not one could I find.
Rather they put gall in my food,
and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving:
"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34
This selection is an individual lament, again drawing heavily on the image of the faithful servant who suffers but remains dedicated to God’s law and works. Even in the face of this intense social embarrassment, the psalmist must be faithful because “…zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.” The imagery in this song forces us to look forward to the passion, as Christ’s punishment is prophetically envisioned.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: 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."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mt 26:14-25
We break away from St. John’s account and today hear Judas striking the bargain with members of the Sanhedrin. The thirty pieces of silver is reminiscent of the price paid for the shepherd of the flock to be slaughtered in Zechariah (Zechariah 11:12).
We then hear Matthew’s account of the selection of the place for the Last Supper. Jesus again tells the disciples that one of them will betray him. This time Judas, who has already struck a deal to turn him over to his enemies, answers, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
The conclusion of Christ’s earthly life draws inexorably closer. During this, the heart of Holy Week all of the details are laid before us in stark relief. The song playing in the background is the Suffering Servant’s portrait from Isaiah, acting almost as background music that reminds us even as Christ reclines in peace with his closest friends, the tragedy that must take place draws ever closer. The humiliation that will be the Lord’s floats from the distant past as prophesy in such a way that all that happens seems like déjà vu.
The main feature of the story today is once again the betrayer, Judas. The account from St. Matthew describes how Judas offers to hand Jesus over to the Sanhedrin so that they may prosecute him for blasphemy and sedition. There is no point that the Gospel authors soften their view of Judas. He is motivated by greed, it would seem. And he knows what he is doing. Even when Christ confronts him directly in this account, he feigns innocence "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?"
We wonder if he really believed that the Lord did not know what he had already agreed to do. Judas had seen him speak with those who opposed Jesus before. He had been with him when he lashed out at the Pharisees for their pretense of holiness. How many times must Judas have observed the Lord look past the facades of people and see what was in their hearts? He must have known Jesus knew him; knew what he was going to do.
The grip of geed must have held him tightly indeed if, even after looking into Jesus’ eyes he could still fulfill the bargain he had struck with the Chief Priests and Scribes. We think of other great sinners of history, like Bernard Madoff who must have known that their deeds would be discovered. The forces of greed can so overwhelm some people that they do things that destroy any possibility of redemption in this life. The very idea that Judas went ahead even after his confrontation with Christ tells us he had no remorse for what he was about to do.
We have not cut Judas any slack thus far in our consideration of his impending deed. We have seen the facts laid bare and condemned him; condemned him as only humans can. Even in the last moments when Jesus could have commanded Judas to stop; even at that last moment he could have told the other disciples to restrain Judas; his response was simply “You have said so."
The Lord accepted the faults of even Judas. What great consolation that is for us. If the Lord could do that much for the one who would betray all mankind by destroying their Savior, how much more must he forgive us who struggle but fail to imitate him? Even in our failures his great love buoys us up.
As we consider these events and now rush toward the Tridiuum, let us lay our failings at the feet of the one who forgave even Judas and ask for his mercy. Even as we do so we know we will be forgiven and loved in spite of our weaknesses.
Pax
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture used today is “Last Supper” by El Grego, 1568
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
[2] The picture used today is “Last Supper” by El Grego, 1568
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
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