March 31
Readings – IS 50:4-9A; MT 26:14-25
One of my favorite lines from scripture appears in today’s reading: “the Lord has given me a well trained tongue that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.”
And the gospel gives us another version of Jesus’ last supper and the betrayal by Judas for 30 silver pieces.
As I have mentioned in other places, I relate to that line from Isaiah because of my work as a counselor. I sit with a lot of people who are going through great difficulty, and I pray that I might say something that will help to rouse their spirit somehow.
I actually see that as the vocation of all of us – can we speak some words into the lives of others that can buoy their spirit. In my 2/23 blog, I reflected on how much our words matter. What we say or fail to say to each other has big impacts. Maybe for today we could just try to speak words that rouse and encourage – no put-downs, sarcasm or negativity. Only uplift today.
The gospel tells the painful story of Judas who makes a deal with the religious authorities to betray Jesus for 30 silver pieces. We have no idea why Judas decided to do what he did, and his actions are the subject of much speculation through the years. I also think that he has been so demonized in the church that we probably find it hard to see ourselves anywhere in him.
At some level, I see Judas as being “seduced” by money and his decisions remind me of all of the times where we put profit and money above relationships (and we live in a culture that does this ALL the time). Whether this is in our personal lives when we make choices that prioritize things, success or material gain over the human relationships or in the communal life where we have based so much of our “way of life” on the backs of the poor (locally and globally). Much of our economy is driven by the “bottom line” where we want cheap prices as long as we do not have to witness the human cost of those prices. We are in relationship with those lives, however, and it may be all too easy for us to “betray” those relationships for a little bit of money.
Money drives so many of our individual and collective choices. And sometimes, like Judas, we only realize the impact of our choices when it is too late.
Today, as we move into the holiest days of the Christian story, maybe we can practice both mindful speech as well as making choices that prioritize relationships over anything else.
6 Comments
Kathy
I can recall only one time that a good friend betrayed me and I was so devastated that I ended up quitting my job. I couldn’t think of going back to work with that “friend” and for the longest time I was so angry but more depressed about it. I ended up in counseling. I couldn’t have ever imagined her doing that. Well, I finally realized that I was the only one suffering from the betrayal so I had to let it go. She never apologized but when we did see each other a long while afterwards, we were ok. I can forgave but it’s hard to forget. I can’t imagine myself doing that to anyone and I pray that the situation never comes up. Friendships are so important to me and more so since I lost my husband. Thanks Mike for your inspiration
Mike Boucher Author
Kathy, thanks for this reflection. There is some deep wisdom in there about forgiveness.
Sarah Brownell
I am feeling overwhelmed by the need coming at me from Haiti and not having enough money or time to raise money to do anything about it. I don’t even know what words to say to them. I blame the global political systems for creating this crisis and not supporting the Haitian people. I’m feeling powerless to do anything about it because both parties are complicit…send some prayers for Haiti please!
Mike Boucher Author
thanks, Sarah, for making your concern public and letting others join in the lamentation. So much comes at us and the needs are so profound. I do think that God needs to hear from us – even at these times – when thoughts are all we can muster and energy is all we can seem to send. I trust that God can work with even that to advance the cause of goodness and justice and ease in the world.
Francene C McCarthy
Thank you, Mike, for your previous words of spirit and wisdom during this Lenten season. You have inspired and enlightened in so many ways. You are a gift to Spiritus and the people you serve. Blessings, Fran♥️
Mike Boucher Author
thanks, Fran!
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