Word to the Wise
Wednesday, April 16, 2014 - Holy Week - Wed
[Isa 50:4-9a and Matt 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.
Was the money all that important? Is there something deeper going on here? The Gospel of Matthew ties the amount to a prophecy in Zechariah 11:12 in which the prophet/shepherd is valued at 30 pieces of silver. So much in Matthew is tied to prophecy and providence that the connection is not unusual. What remains a mystery is the mind of Judas. Why? He had been a participant in all the preaching and healing ministry of the disciples. He was entrusted with their common purse. [John accuses him of being a thief! John 12:6] Was there a lack of faith? Was everything a matter of money? He seemed to know the cost of the aromatic nard at the anointing in Bethany. We know that he was capable of remorse of some kind when he returned the money to the chief priests after Jesus' arrest. [Mt. 27:3] I sometimes wonder if we do not give him due credit for this act.
Perhaps Judas is a reminder of our own complicated motives and weaknesses that weave themselves into all our best intentions. As we enter into the events of Holy Week, can we claim no involvement at all in what takes place just because we see it as ancient history? Are we not implicated since Christ died for OUR sins? Do we go from palm-waving pilgrim to a member of the mob screaming, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"? Every character in this narrative is important and each has something to teach us. AMEN
[Note to the Beloved Congregation. In my Palm Sunday reflection, I made a glaring mistake in saying that the Gospel of John does not mention the entrance into Jerusalem. [John 12:12-19!] My wonderful scripture consultant, Fr. Felix Just, SJ, has properly called me to task! Apologies to John and to all of you!]