Reflection for Holy Wednesday

 

 Bible Reading

“Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.” Mark 14:10 & 11

 Watch: Judas receiving his payment from the High Priests after betraying Jesus

 Reflection

As you probably know, the story doesn’t end well for Judas. After Jesus is killed, Judas’ guilt is so great that he takes his own life. Here is a poem which imagines Judas meeting with God after his death.

In Hell there grew a Judas Tree

Where Judas hanged and died

Because he could not bear to see

His master crucified

Our Lord descended into Hell

And found his Judas there

For ever hanging on the tree

Grown from his own despair

So Jesus cut his Judas down

And took him in his arms

"It was for this I came" he said

"And not to do you harm

My Father gave me twelve good men

And all of them I kept

Though one betrayed and one denied

Some fled and others slept

In three days' time I must return

To make the others glad

But first I had to come to Hell

And share the death you had

My tree will grow in place of yours

Its roots lie here as well

There is no final victory

Without this soul from Hell"

So when we all condemned him

As of every traitor worst

Remember that of all his men

Our Lord forgave him first

 Prayers

Take a moment to pray for elderly people who live alone and all those who are lonely.