SERMON/HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK 27TH MARCH 2024

SERMON/HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK 27TH MARCH 2024

Isaiah 50:4-9a; Ps.69; Matthew 26:14-25

To Dine in Pretense is to betray like Judas

Today, we read of Matthew’s account of the betrayer of Judas Iscariot. Yesterday, we read that of John. Reading about Judas’ action a second time gives us another opportunity to reflect more deeply into what he did and how we may be treading his path consciously or unconsciously.

Matthew’s account says that Judas visited the Chief priests and collected thirty pieces of silver from them with the promise to deliver Jesus to them. This, Judas did, even before the Passover meal. Funny enough, he still partook of the meal not as a sign of sharing common life with Jesus, but in search of an opportunity to betray Jesus. This is something that is quite common.

How often do we bear grudges or reservations about people but will never dare to talk to them about it? Sometimes we smile and praise people but deep within us we are not happy with them. Sometimes too, when people approach us for advice, we tell them what we think they want to hear and not what they need to hear (the truth). Such actions lead to gossip and other forms of character assassination. Whenever we hide our hatred for people and go on to assassinate their character, we become another Judas.

During the Passover meal, Jesus revealed that one of his own was going to betray him. They all became sorrowful and questioned among themselves. Funny enough, Judas did likewise; he pretended not to be the one. By the time the thief who stole your item joins you in searching for it, you can imagine that it will be impossible for you to ever find the item. Whenever we partake in the Eucharistic banquet with hearts that are not reconciled with Jesus, we become another Judas. To receive communion unworthily is to betray the Lord.

Beloved, Jesus gives Himself to us in love and trust. When we receive Jesus at Mass, He also receives us. If we receive Him and refuse Him receiving us, we betray His love and trust. May God heal us of the tendency to be pretentious in our dealing with Him and our neigbhour.