Mt 26:14-25
Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “How much will you give me if I hand him over to you?” They promised to give him thirty pieces of silver; and from then on, he kept looking for the best way to hand Jesus over to them.
On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?” Jesus answered, “Go into the city, to the house of a certain man, and tell him, ‘The Master says: My hour is near, and I will celebrate the Passover with my disciples in your house.’”
The disciples did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover meal.
When it was evening, Jesus sat at table with the Twelve. While they 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.”
REFLECTION
In almost every culture and religion, mealtime is an honored tradition to interrelate the diners. A state dinner for visiting dignitaries and political fundraiser dinner often occurs. Meals celebrate life’s milestones. Meals are among family members and loved ones. Why and how man eats differentiate him from animals.
Man eats to live, whereas animals live to eat.
To dine and drink with one’s enemy is the epitome of hypocrisy, unless the parties agreed to bury the hatchet. Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) in a scene from ‘The Godfather‘ has been brought to a restaurant by the rival gangster and the corrupt police captain, because it is safe to meet there. Previously, a gun was planted behind the toilet. Michael went to the restroom and came out killing both men. A trust has been broken, an assassination happened at a meal and in a safe place. Today, however, is April Fools’ Day.
Passover meal is sacred for the Hebrews. It connects them with God and with others. It is a time to give thanks and ask God’s forgiveness and blessings as we do at Mass. Judas Iscariot, a hypocrite, not only showed no remorse in deceiving Jesus and the apostles, but also desecrated this honored tradition.
CLARETIAN COMMUNICATIONS FOUNDATION, INC.
8 Mayumi Street, U.P. Village, Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.: (02) 921-3984 • Fax: (02) 921-6205, 927-7429
Bookstore: (02) 924-6835
Email: ccfi@claretianpublications.com / cci@claret.org
Website: www.claretianpublications.com
