Posted in Easter Triduum, Easter Vigil, Good Friday, Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Palm Sunday, Sunday, Weekday
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For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:
13 April 2014 – Palm Sunday
14 April 2014 – Monday of Holy Week
15 April 2014 – Tuesday of Holy Week
16 April 2014 – Wednesday of holy Week
17 April 2014 – Maundy (Holy) Thursday
18 April 2014 – Good Friday
19 April 2014 – Easter Vigil
We sometimes hear of people betraying other people for one reason or another. Sometimes the reason could be personal pride, greed, money, jealousy, rage, etc. What some of these betrayers do not realise is that they may not necessarily get the “reward” promised to them at the end. We hear of cases where a person betrays another for an agreed reward, only to be put to death by those who hired the betrayer, as they may decide to destroy any evidence of involvement and they may not trust the betrayer to keep silent. As some say, dead men tell no tales.
Today, we see Judas receiving 30 pieces of silver to betray Jesus. We are already reminded in Monday’s Gospel that Judas “was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contributions.” So 30 pieces of silver seemed a nice sum for him and something hard to resist. The problem is, is friendship so cheap that it can be sold for 30 pieces of silver, which is the price of a slave? Like Judas, some of us give little thought to the consequences of our sins. Some of us only look at self-gratification and temporary pleasure we get from committing such sins, and never stop to think about its long-term consequences. We are blinded by our personal interests, and we forget that we are selling our souls just for a measly sum. Why do we commit such acts only for temporary gratification but could lead us to an eternity away from God? Do we consider ourselves so cheap and worthless that even that temporary sinful act is enough for us, only to suffer eternal consequences?
Each of us experiences our days and our nights. Life is never the same, since we have choices to make, and sometimes these choices will influence how our life turns out. We are given many opportunities to let God steer us closer to Him, but our behaviour, attitude, stubbornness, pride, etc. can cause us to drift further and further away, especially when our minds and hearts remain closed and we choose to avoid His loving embrace. Indeed, it may sound strange or tragic, but there are people who vehemently choose to remain away from God.
Today’s Gospel tells us of Judas. Jesus knew what he was up to, and he was given a choice to stay with the group or betray Him. One can imagine the turmoil which may have initially been going on in Judas’ heart, but when one is further engulfed in wrongdoing, in sin, in dissatisfaction, etc., one becomes more and more convinced to make an alternative choice. Judas took the bread and then left. Night had fallen. A soul had made its choice.
Which path are we choosing? Are we heading the same direction as Judas chose to go? Or are we choosing to remain in that narrow road whic leads to life? Let us not be distracted or diverted from making a wise choice.
Some people can be deceptive and cunning. They could appear to be good, but they have hidden motives or hidden agendas. If a situation suits them, they act quickly for their own benefit. If a situation is not favourable, they may lie low and wait for a different time.
Judas Iscariot in today’s Gospel is one example of such a person. He was not interested in others. He was interested only in himself. He said: “Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but he cared only about himself. The Gospel further tells us that Judas Iscariot “was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contributions.”
Another example of such a person are the chief priests, who only cared about themselves. They were more concerned about losing their “crowd” and even had the audacity to “decide to kill Lazarus as well, since it was on his account that many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus.”
What about us? Are we doing things for our own benefit? Are we more interested in our wants and needs, even to the extent of lying, cheating, betraying and killing others? Let us not be fooled into thinking that we can get away with such despicable acts. God is watching, and one will be repaid according to one’s deeds (Matthew 16:27).
Today’s celebration is full of ironies. At the beginning of the celebration, Jesus is cheerfully and warmly welcomed. People are waving palms and Jesus is treated like a VIP. However, when we come to the readings and Gospel in the middle of the celebration, the mood suddenly changes. Jesus is jeered, rejected and put to death.
The people had expected a messiah, but not the kind of messiah Jesus was. They wanted a messiah who would lead them and rescue them from their enemies, especially the Romans. When Jesus turned out to be not the type of messiah they expected, they got rid of Him. Instead of the King of kings, they chose a brigand called Barabbas. Jesus came to save them from their sins, but they were more interested in someone who could save them from their enemies. Jesus came to spread peace and love to all, but the people were not interested in such things. Indeed, so many ironies.
What about us in this present time? Are we also just as guilty in protecting and preserving our own interests by supporting those who could be of use to us? Or are we letting Jesus save us from our sins? Are we making effort to grow closer to God by sincerely and earnestly loving God and neighbour? Or are we no different than these people in the readings? Situations may have changed, but what is our real agenda? Jesus invites us to follow Him, take up our cross and let Him save us. Are we still rejecting and “crucifying” Jesus even today?