were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you: one of you will betray me.” They were deeply distressed, and they asked him, one after the other, “You do not mean me, do you, Lord?”He answered, “The one who dips his bread with me will betray me. The Son of Man is going as the Scriptures say he will. But alas for that one who betrays the Son of Man: better for him not to have been born.” Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, “You do not mean me, Master, do you?” Jesus replied, “You have said it.”

Reflections

“You have said it.”The Passover is a very important Jewish feast. It commemorates the liberation of the Hebrew people from the slavery of Egypt. The Exodus happened sometime in 1500 BC. It is a week-long celebration. It is called Pesah which literally means to skip or pass over.As Jesus and his disciples go to Jerusalem for the celebration as prescribed by the law, Judas talks with the chief priests who are vent on eliminating  Jesus.  He negotiates with them his payment after handing him over to them. Judas has just betrayed Jesus when he banked on the priests’ promise of 30 pieces of silver.Just like yesterday’s reading from John’s gospel, Jesus announces his betrayal. The betrayer is there with them at the Passover meal. The other disciples are disturbed. Judas pretends he is not the one.With a different purpose, Judas celebrates Passover. He will be richer when he executes the priests’ plan. It is said that the Gnostic Gospel of Judas makes us thank him for betraying Jesus and thus he died and saved us. The inspired and canonical Gospel of Matthew says, “Better for him not to have been born.” Judas missed the whole message of Jesus.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019