Wednesday of Holy Week
(Isaiah 50:4-9a; Matthew 26:14-25)
Humiliation seldom sinks lower than to be spit upon in
the face. Spittle may transmit infectious
germs. More than that, spitting is a
universal sign of contempt. The Book of
Deuteronomy instructs a widow whose brother-in-law will not fulfill his
obligation to marry her for the sake of his dead brother to “spit in his face”
(Deut. 25:9). The action is meant to
show that the man is like selfish, low-lying scum.
In the first reading today the Suffering Servant speaks
of giving his face to be spit upon. Conscious
of how Jesus fulfills the prophecy of this servant, Matthew’s passion narrative
underscores how both Jews and Romans spit upon him. Although the gospel does not accuse Judas of
spitting in Jesus’ face, it plainly shows that Judas’ behavior is tantamount to
such disgrace. He insults Jesus by
calling him “Rabbi,” a title which Jesus expressly forbade his followers to use. More gravely, he hands Jesus over to his
enemies for silver.
Jesus’ humiliation in Matthew’s passion narrative is part
of the price that he pays for human disobedience. Only perfect obedience could heal the
fracture between God and humanity related in the story of Adam and Eve’s sin
and reflected in our sins. Jesus carries
out God’s will – that he be handed over to his enemies -- which causes him to
suffer extreme humiliation, intense pain, and finally brutal death. For this sacrifice he deserves more than our thanks
and admiration. He merits our imitation
and allegiance.
