“My Time is at Hand”

Reflection for Wednesday of Holy Week

(Is 49:1-6; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38)

30 Pieces of Silver

“So they weighed out my wages: thirty shekels of silver. Yahweh said to me, ‘Throw it to the smelter, this princely sum at which they have valued me!’ Taking the thirty shekels of silver, I threw them into the Temple of Yahweh, for the smelter” (Zech 11:12-13). This passage was fulfilled today as Judas approached the chief priests to bargain the amount they would pay him in exchange for Jesus. “What will you give me if I deliver him to you?” At this point the value of the money excited him more than the value of his friendship with Jesus. And he can go to any extent to achieve it, including entering into bargain with his own enemies! This can happen to anyone consumed by power, lust, wealth, etc.

Judas was entrusted with the wealth of the apostolic college, but he turned what ought to be service for others to personal gain. The pull of his hidden bad behaviour took him away from the one who trusted him and exalted him, and landed him face to face with those who never trusted him nor valued him! That is why we should be careful in using our natural talents, never to manipulate or cheat anyone...And the malicious chief priests were quick to respond, “And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.” What a price for the Son of God! Actually, it was not the price for Jesus, but the cost for Judas’ greed. Imagine how little he got excited for over his integrity, faithfulness and friendship with Jesus. Whenever we exchange Jesus for other interests, we equally devalue ourselves. Thirty pieces of silver was all Judas was rated.

The Opportunity

 “And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.” Sure, he could no more concentrate on his apostolic responsibilities. What a restless life! The privilege given to Judas by his vocation to witness to Jesus now became an opportunity for him betray Jesus. Meanwhile, Jesus continued to create opportunity to commune with His disciples and celebrate Passover together. “Go into the city to such a one, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” Yes, our choices define what we do with the opportunities that come our way.

It was indeed a solemn and heartbreaking moment for Jesus as they sat at table, sharing meal. He did not want to put Judas to shame before others. He freely accepted the betrayal to fulfill what Isaiah said in the first reading, “The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I turned not backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled at the beard; I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God helps me.” By discretely communicating to Judas that He knew his treachery, Jesus gave him opportunity to repent.

The communion meal was a viable opportunity for him to retrace his steps, but he was adamant. So Jesus warned, “The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”  Evil builds its on defense. “Sin speaks to the wicked in the depths of his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes” (Ps 36:1). Thus Judas too asked him, “Is it I, Master?” Jesus answered him, “You have said so.”

This Holy Week, we have a new opportunity to witness to our faith in Christ Jesus, especially with the present challenges, and changes in our Church gathering. The Hour of Jesus is at hand, and is richly available for us to connect to. Let us use this opportunity to renew our friendship with Jesus.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Wednesday April 8th, 2020.