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.
(Matthew 26:14-16)
Everything is unfolding according to prophecy. This is a time for us to reflect on our own actions and intentions. Material desires can lead to devastating choices. Turning away from truth and righteousness can lead us to experiencing serious consequences. Let us trust in God's plan, even in difficult times.
The silver gleamed, but oh, so cold,
A currency of sorrow sold.
A friend’s embrace, a whispered lie,
A kiss to seal the doomed goodbye.
Yet treasures tarnish, glory fades,
Regret will haunt the choice he made.
For what is wealth when souls decay?
When love is lost and light turns gray?
"What are you willing to give me?" he cried,
The answer echoed—his soul denied.
Lord Jesus,
I come before You with a humble heart, Knowing that temptation whispers in every corner, That the world offers silver in exchange for my soul.
"What are you willing to give me?"— Judas asked, blinded by greed, Yet today, I ask differently: Lord, what would You have me give to You?
Let it not be betrayal, but devotion. Not selfish gain, but selfless love. Not fleeting wealth, but eternal grace. Teach me to trust in Your plan, To release the grip of worldly desires, To choose You over comfort, To follow You even when the path is steep. Forgive me for the moments I turn away, For the times I seek my own will before Yours. Strengthen my heart so that, unlike Judas, I may choose faithfulness over failure, And love over loss.
Lord, take all that I am, Not in betrayal, but in surrender. For in You, I find all I will ever need.
Amen.
Pericope
VII : The Passion and Resurrection
THE BETRAYAL BY JUDAS / PREPARATION FOR THE PASSOVER / THE BETRAYER
Matthew 26:14-16 / 17-19 / 20-25
Gospel Acclamation
Hail to you, our King; you alone are compassionate with our errors.
Gospel | Matthew 26:14-25
14 One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, 16 and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. 17 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?” 18 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.”’” 19 The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover. 20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” 23 He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. 24 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.” 25 Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
