It was at Passover time that Jesus came to Jerusalem

knowing he would be betrayed and put to death

as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world"

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊  

Isaiah  50:4-9a

The Lord Yahweh has taught me

So I speak as his disciple and I know how to sustain the weary. Morning after morning he wakes me up to hear, to listen like a disciple.  The Lord Yahweh has opened my ear. I have not rebelled, nor have I withdrawn.

 I offered my back to those who strike me, my cheeks to those who pulled my beard; neither did I shield my face from blows, spittle and disgrace. I have not despaired,

for the Lord Yahweh comes to my help. So, like a flint I set my face, knowing that I will not be disgraced.  He who avenges me is near. Who then will accuse me? Let us confront each other.

Who is now my accuser? Let him approach. If the Lord Yahweh is my help. who will condemn me? All of them will wear out like cloth;  the moth will devour them.

 

Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 & 33-34

Lord in your great love, answer me.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊ 

Matthew 26:14-25

 

Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "How much will you give me if I hand him over to you?" They promised to give him thirty pieces of silver; and from then on, he kept looking for the best way to hand Jesus over to them.

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said to him, "Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?" Jesus answered, "Go into the city, to the house of a certain man, and tell him, 'The Master says: My hour is near, and I will celebrate the Passover with my disciples in your house.’"

The disciples did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, Jesus sat at table with the Twelve. While they were eating, Jesus said, "Truly I say to you: one of you will betray me." They were deeply distressed, and they asked him, one after the other, "You do not mean me, do you, Lord?"

 He answered, "The one who dips his bread with me will betray me. The Son of Man is going as the Scriptures say he will. But alas for that one who betrays the Son of Man: better for him not to have been born." Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, "You do not mean me, Master, do you?" Jesus replied, "You have said it."

 

 Gospel Reflection：

Heart God

 Reading horoscopes is a universal addiction, precisely because we crave to know how our future unfolds. However, knowing one's future in advance can be a terrible burden with disastrous consequences – unless you have the kind of heart of Christ.

Having known well in advance his destiny, Jesus still chose Judas as a disciple, nurtured him with his friendship and teachings; and now at the Passover meal, shares his bread with him. Jesus does not hold back his presence, love, and care from Judas. How is it possible?

Only one who has the heart of God can do so. I am reminded of a story from John Shea. Jesus comes to meet a modern day down-and-out disciple who has lost fire and is planning to abandon faith. Sharing popcorn with him, Jesus tells him: "Love me, because I am large enough to betray."