HOLY WEDNESDAY
April 16, 2025
Day Thirty-Eight of Lent – (MAUNDY THURSDAY)The Soldier’s Lance
April 17, 2025
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
16 APRIL, 2025
Matthew 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.
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
the disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Where do you want us to prepare
for you to eat the Passover?”
He said,
“Go into the city to a certain man and tell him,
‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near;
in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.””‘
The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered,
and prepared the Passover.
When it was evening,
he reclined at table with the Twelve.
And while they were eating, he said,
“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
Deeply distressed at this,
they began to say to him one after another,
“Surely it is not I, Lord?”
He said in reply,
“He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me
is the one who will betray me.
The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him,
but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.
It would be better for that man if he had never been born.”
Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply,
“Surely it is not I, Rabbi?”
He answered, “You have said so.”
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
In this passage, we witness Judas’ decision to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. It’s a sobering moment that highlights how even someone close to Jesus can fall prey to temptation and sin. It challenges us to examine our own hearts—what are the “silver coins” we sometimes choose over faithfulness? Jesus, fully aware of what’s coming, still shares the meal with all His disciples, including Judas. This reveals His deep love and grace, even in the face of betrayal.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You knew the pain of betrayal, yet You chose love and obedience. Help me to remain faithful to You, even when I’m tempted by lesser things. Search my heart and reveal anything that keeps me from walking closely with You. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that never fail. Amen
