Gospel for the Day with Pointers

Wednesday, 16th April,2014

Holy Week

Mt 26:17-18.20-25

On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ He said, ‘Go to a certain man in the city and say to him, “The Master says: My time is near. It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples” ’

When evening came he was at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating he said, ‘In truth I tell you, one of you is about to betray me.’ They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, ‘Not me, Lord, surely?’ 

He answered, ‘Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me will betray me. The Son of man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!’ Judas, who was to betray him, asked in his turn, ‘Not me, Rabbi, surely?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is you who say it.’

• •Wednesday of Holy Week is also known traditionally as “Spy Wednesday” because Jesus exposed Judas’ betrayal of Him.
  
  
• •Notice how Jesus made each   of the apostles examine their consciences, giving them the opportunity to repent. Judas passed up that opportunity.
  
  
• •As we stand on the brink of another Easter Triduum, let us pray for the grace to examine our lives thoroughly and to seek forgiveness from Jesus and to never be separated from Him again.