Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 16, 2025

Wednesday of Holy Week

Scripture Text: Matthew 26:14-25

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The teacher says, "My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples."' The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered and prepared the Passover.

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, "Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me." Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, "Surely it is not I, Lord?" He said in reply, "He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born." Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?" He answered, "You have said so."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today recounts Judas’ deal with chief priests to hand Jesus over to the and Jesus’ awareness of Judas’ betrayal. We do not know Judas’ motives for this action.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

I call myself “Christian.” Am I truly with Christ?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior, during this holiest of weeks, we come to You with awareness of the price You paid so that we might have life and have it in abundance. Send your Spirit to fill us with the courage and resolve to follow You always, to remain in You and to open ourselves so that You may remain in us. Grant that we may truly be your disciples, your followers, on our journey in this life. Keep us from temptations that lead us away from You, away from “the Way and the Truth and the Life.” Amen.