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.
