Thursday, April 6, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading
Matthew 26:17–56

On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ He said, ‘Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.” ’ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, ‘Surely not I, Lord?’ He answered, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’ Judas, who betrayed him, said, ‘Surely not I, Rabbi?’ He replied, ‘You have said so.’
While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’

When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Then Jesus said to them, ‘You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written,

“I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.”

But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.’ Peter said to him, ‘Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ Peter said to him, ‘Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.’ And so said all the disciples.
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Again he went away for the second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’ Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.’ At once he came up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, do what you are here to do.’ Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?’ At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. (NRSV)

Reflection

Today we begin “The Three Days” or “Triduum” — Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. They are the most solemn days of the church year during which we are invited to enter the drama and mystery of Christ’s Passion. And yet, I can’t help but remember that when we reach Sunday — with all of its glory and dazzling celebration — one of the disciples won’t be there.

Maundy Thursday is traditionally the day we recall the ”night Jesus was betrayed.” Year after year, we recall that betrayal, and the disciple Judas is put on trial in our minds. He is treated as one less than, horrible and unworthy, undeserving of absolution. He has over the centuries become the enemy, the antagonist, the villain in the passion drama, and maybe that is a bit unfair. In a moment of desperation, confusion, and temptation, hopes dashed and meaning lost, Judas — a very human being — failed.

And since then, Christian theologians from Thomas Aquinas to Billy Graham have long claimed that Judas is beyond forgiveness, that due to his actions he is unable to receive pardon from God. And I think they are wrong.

If we believe in a God that loves all and forgets none; if we indeed worship a God from whom — as our scripture reads — nothing can ever separate us, a God who never turns a back to us but offers unlimited forgiveness and unrelenting love — and, we do. . . then Judas receives that same pardon and mercy. And that isn’t really a comfortable thought, I know. It doesn’t feel like justice, but it is the wideness of God’s mercy, God’s tenderness, the abundance of God’s welcome.

That’s what is revealed in these Three Days. That’s what is shown on the cross tomorrow and revealed in the empty tomb on Sunday: a God that turns our human expectations and limitations on its head — and offers us unrelenting, unending love. Full stop. No exceptions. Love and forgiveness for us all — even the one who betrayed.

Prayer

O God, as we enter the mystery of these holy days, I am in awe of the wonder and power of your love and am overwhelmed by your forgiveness. Thank you for the grace that knows no bounds and includes us all. Amen.

Written by Shawn Fiedler, Major Gifts Officer

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