--- title: Daily Readings Reflection for 4/08/09 description: Daily Readings Reflection for 4/08/09 --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2009/04/08/daily-readings-reflection-for-40809#) # Daily Readings Reflection for 4/08/09 Apr 8, 2009 4:00:50 PM  |  by [Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/guest) Reflection on the Daily Readings for 4/08/09 by Fr. Bertrand Buby, SM [Today’s Readings](http://www.usccb.org/nab/) Scripture: Wed. of Holy Week. Isaiah 50:4-9. Psalm 69:8-10.21-22.31.33-34. Matthew 26:14-25. Lectionary # 260: Betrayal! a terrible word that almost always brings to mind the apostle of Jesus, Judas Iscariot. It is Matthew who gives us some details about this terrible act against his teacher and friend, Jesus.  It leads to Jesus' apprehension and eventually to his death on the Cross.  We learn of two traditions that indicate that the death of Judas occurs soon after that of Jesus whether by suicide or accident.  Judas probably was involved in the preparations that Jesus had made for his celebration of the Passover meal with his intimate friends, the Twelve Apostles. Judas was similar to their steward in charge of the money.  He will betray Jesus for the promise of thirty pieces of silver!  Betrayal is a deliberate sinful act and usually involves other sins like denial, lying, and extreme forms of selfishness. Judas even dips his hand in the one of the dishes used during the Passover meal.  Pretending that all is all right between him and Jesus, he asks this question of Jesus concerning the fact that Jesus is aware of his being handed over by one of his own: "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?"  He had already planned this and made his decision to deliver Jesus over to those who were seeking a way of apprehending him. He will even do this with one of the most intimate forms of trusting that of giving Jesus a kiss.  Though we cannot judge Judas, we are startled by Jesus having said, "It would have been better had that man (who betrayed) never to have been born."  We leave Judas into the merciful and just judgment of God. We have enough of our own sinful actions and words to be concerned with our relationship to Jesus and not condemn Judas--only God can handle this and "it is better to fall into the hands of the living God" than into the hands of humans when it comes to judging. This scene from Matthew is so vivid that it touches us deeply as we read it. We need to reflect on it in the light of our own sinful self.  Sin is often dismissed as a trifle, a scruple in these days of violence and terroris both domestic and foreign.  We rationalize our sins away quite easily and go on with our normal routine. Firm purpose of amendment is part of the sacrament of reconciliation and we all struggle with this, don't we? The Gospel today makes it clear that sin is a willful act and we are responsible for it. We suffer the consequences of our sinful choices. Betrayal, hopefully, is not among our sins. It is a terrible decision to betray someone; it is a selfish act because it usually involves someone who loved us or trusted us.  Powerful people usually are prone to this type of sin, but we know of it among friends, lovers, and those who are self-centered. The scene helps us realize the seriousness of all sins that turn us away from one another and from God.  We need to interiorize the words of a poet,"To your ownself be true."  Our dignity as humans consists in our likeness to God's image (Genesis 1:27). During this season of Lent which ends today, we now approach the Holy Days and ask for God's forgiveness. We trust that the all merciful and loving God can bring us through once again.  And even if we have committed a sin of betrayal we are forgiven when we humbly ask God for forgiveness. Jesus forgave all who were involved in his death whether through false witness, betrayal, denial, or simply selfish.  "Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy, Lord, have mercy." 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