Homily: Wednesday of Holy Week

Wednesday of Holy Week (Mt 26:14-25) “Spy Wednesday”

We all like a good, organized crime movie.  I remember when I saw The Godfather for the first time.  I could not believe how the mafia was able to operate in our country.  One of the most shocking parts of the movie happened when law enforcement finally was able to get an informant who would testify against the mob.  When the gangster was put on the stand, he looked around the courtroom and saw a relative seated there.  He then knew his family was in trouble and he changed his story.  It is not easy to be strong when threatened.

Judas was an informer.  He decided to turn Jesus in to the authorities when he received the right price.  Sometimes Wednesday of Holy Week is called “Spy Wednesday” because we reflect on Judas in the Liturgy. 

Jesus knows what is going on with Judas, so he says to his Apostles, “One of you is about to betray me.” The response that they have is the same, “It is not I Lord.”  But we know that almost all the apostles deserted Jesus in his hour of need.

What is different is the motivation each of them had.  For Judas it was greed.  For the rest of the Apostles, it was fear.  They thought they might be tortured, imprisoned or executed.  Because of their fear they fled.  We are probably shocked at their behavior.

Perhaps we could ask what we might do in the same situation.  The fact is that we do not know. I had a philosophy teacher who said that he often thought about what he would do if someone threatened him because of his Christian faith.  Would he deny his faith or would he hold fast. His answer was always, “I don’t know.” 

As seminarians we were shocked.  As time has passed, I have appreciated his honesty.  We don’t know how strong our faith is until the moment when it is tested.  

Reflection Questions:

1.    Have I ever had someone challenge my strength of faith?  How did I react?

2.    Who was a weaker apostle?  Was it Judas or Peter?

Dear Parishioners,

            Tonight, we will have our last scheduled Reconciliation time before Easter.  Confessions will be heard at 5 p.m. in the Damien Center.  If you wish to celebrate this sacrament, do it today.  At 5:30 p.m. we will celebrate the Stations of the Cross. This is the last time we will pray this devotion together as a community this Lent.

            Take some time to get ready for the Easter Triduum.  We begin Thursday night with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

            May Our Lady of Sorrows pray for us,

            Fr. Mark