RBWords

     We begin the gospel passage today by accompanying Judas Iscariot, "one of the Twelve," on an errand and discover that he is going to the house of the one of the chief priests.  There we hear the horrifying words, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?"  There is a whispered consultation and a pouch with thirty clinking pieces of silver changes hands.

     Now the scene shifts to preparation for the passover and Jesus gives these ominous instructions: "The teacher says, 'My  appointed time draws near..."  Then the scene changes again to the table and Jesus' startling declaration that one of the Twelve would betray him.  They all say, "Surely it is not I, Lord."  They had all dipped their hands into the dish with him, and not just on this occasion.  When Judas  speaks, Jesus reminds him that he has already said so: "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?"

     We will never know why Judas Iscariot acted as he did.  He played a necessary role but a terrible one.  However, betrayal takes more than one form, as Peter would discover in his weakness.  The disciples would discover how fearful they could be when the soldiers arrived at the garden.  We come to the table of the Lord many times knowing full well how weak we can be.  We try to say, "Surely it is not I, Lord?"  but we know that we are full participants in the human condition with its fears and desires.  We bring all of this to the events which will begin tomorrow on Holy Thursday, aware that those pieces of silver may be clinking in our pockets.  AMEN