When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” –     Matthew 26:20-21

       Bible translator Bob Russell sought a word for “forgiveness” in the language of the Amahuacas of Eastern Peru, and he discovered their unique way of asking for pardon. In that culture, if an offender wants to be reconciled with someone he’s offended, he says to him, “Will you speak to me?”

       Had Judas approached Jesus, and spoken to Him, he would have been forgiven. Why am I sure? Simple. Jesus is the Word. It is His very nature to be “spoken” and to “speak.” Too bad Judas chose the path of a wordless silent movie with a tragic ending.

       But is an epilogue possible? What if, because of the miracle of God’s mercy, Judas found a way to “speak” to God’s overwhelming love and ask forgiveness before he drew his last breath? Or maybe I’m just insisting on a happy ending for Judas. But wouldn’t Jesus insist on it more than I would? I’m certainly not more merciful than the Jesus that I know. Who knows, when we get to heaven, we may see Judas on “speaking terms” with Jesus again, the best of friendships re-bonded. Yeah!

Reflection: Have you been on real “speaking terms” with God or are there things you don’t want to talk to Him about? Do you have someone you’re not on “speaking terms” with that God wants you to talk to?

Lord, thank You for always speaking to me. Let me speak of Your love and forgiveness.

St. Bernadette Soubirous, virgin, pray for us.

God will give us the words we need to speak in witnessing to the Gospel. He will give us the grace of the Holy Spirit. God is not going to miss an opportunity to draw one of His children back into His presence. This is part of being His true servant — being available for the work of the Kingdom at all times.

4 The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; 5 and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. 6 I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. 7 The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. 8 He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let him confront me. 9 See, the Lord God is my help; who will prove me wrong.

R: Lord, in your great love, answer me.

7 [8] For your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. 8 [9] I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my mother’s sons, 9 [10] because zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me. (R) 20 [21] Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak, I looked for sympathy, but there was none; for consolers, not one could I find. 21 [22] Rather they put gall in my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (R) 30 [31] I will praise the name of God in song, and I will glorify him with thanksgiving; 32 [33]“See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! 33 [34] For the Lord hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.” (R)

Jesus is betrayed by Judas for 30 pieces of silver. I wonder what inspired Judas to enter into such a bargain. Every sin we commit is a betrayal of the goodness of God to us. We cannot blame Judas and put all the responsibility for Jesus’ death on him. We must take our share of the blame precisely because we all have sinned and so contributed to humanity’s need for a Savior.

Hail to you, our King; you alone are compassionate with our errors.

14 Then 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.”

think:  Every sin we commit is a betrayal of the goodness of God to us.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Leviticus 16-18

I am catching up with deadlines from the editor, so I am writing this reflection in the late evening of Mother’s Day 2013. For this day, my youngest sister wrote on her Facebook timeline: “No gift can compare to what a mother has given — life.”

       I like this line very much because it is so true. The greatest pain for a mother is, I believe, inflicted not by her husband (although that could hurt, too) but by her beloved child for whom she has given and risked everything. As always, we can only be wounded greatly by the one whom we love the most.

       In contemplating on the sufferings of Jesus for our sake, we will officially start tomorrow the Paschal Triduum. We will again read about and reflect on the unequalled physical hardships that our Lord Jesus endured to atone for all our offenses. But today, “Spy Wednesday” as we have traditionally referred to it, we commemorate the deep inner and emotional pain that went with Jesus’ Passion — by the act of betrayal of Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve.

       The Lord Jesus had chosen him, like the rest of the Twelve, from among so many followers and disciples. He singled him out as the one to whom to entrust the money of the group. Further, knowing about Judas’ inner turmoils and struggles, the Lord Jesus had done everything to reach out to his troubled heart and soul, while respecting his sensitivities and right to a good repute among the circle of the Twelve. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Who have you inflicted with the most hurt and pain? What have you done to them? In what ways have they loved you? Recall too the persons whom you have loved in very special ways. What deep hurts have you experienced from them?

Lord, I lift up to You all the persons I have hurt. Heal them please. In the same manner, I lift up to You all the persons who have hurt me. I forgive them with Your grace.