Wednesday of Holy Week
(Isaiah 50:4-9a; Matthew 26:14-25)
The first reading today is one of the four “Servant Songs”
of the Book of Isaiah. It is unique in
that the Servant here speaks for himself.
Just as Christ, the Servant comforts the weary and accepts the disdain of
the world, including physical abuse. Instead
of evasion, he entreats his enemies to dialogue with him about their criticisms.
Christ would have done the same with Judas.
Judas’ heart has grown bitter toward the Lord. It has come to hate the one who loves everyone. Rather than speak with Jesus about his
problem, Judas seeks resolution by going to Jesus’ enemies. He betrays his Lord by delivering him to his executioners!
Hopefully, we will never betray Jesus by giving up faith in
him. Nevertheless, we can act like Judas
by not taking our difficulties with living justly and caringly to him in prayer. He, the Suffering Servant, will comfort
us. He has given us the sacraments that
we may experience physically his consolation.
As he is always faithful to us, let us be faithful to him.
