Wednesday 5 April 2023

Today is Wednesday the 5th of April in Holy Week.


Salt of the Sound sings, ‘O The Deep, Deep Love Of Jesus’.


O the deep, deep love of Jesus
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free
Rolling as a mighty ocean
In its fullness over me
Underneath me, all around me
Is the current of thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward
To thy glorious rest above
O the deep, deep love of Jesus
Spread his praise from shore to shore
How he loves us, ever loves us
Changes never, nevermore
How he watches o'er his loved ones
Died to call them all his own
How for them he's interceding
Watching o'er them from the throne
O the deep, deep love of Jesus
'Tis a heav'n of heav'ns to me
And it lifts me up to glory
For it lifts me up to thee

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.


Matt 26:14-25

Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I betray him to you?’ They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

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.’

Another dramatic and devastating scene. We cannot know the reasons behind Judas’ betrayal and can barely imagine his or Jesus’ feelings at this moment. What would it be like to be either one of them? What memories, thoughts or feelings does this scene stir up within you?


Jesus does not appear to judge or condemn Judas, though he clearly has his own reflections about what his friend is doing. Have you ever struggled to follow and be faithful to Jesus? How do you feel Jesus looks upon you in those moments of your history?

As we listen to the reading once more, try to be alert to any words or feelings that strike home particularly. Each of the disciples is challenged in their discipleship here. Is there a part of your life that is touched specially by the words recorded here?

Jesus appears strangely unmoved in this terrible moment. He speaks plainly but is in control of the scene, despite whatever his inner feelings might be. What do you find yourself wanting to say to him?

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.