ENRICHING LIFE

Wednesday of Holy Week

Matthew 26:21
“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
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Thirty pieces of silver was the equivalent of 120 denarii. A denarius was the wage a worker was paid for a day's work. So Judas was given the equivalent of three months pay. In Zechariah 11:12-13, thirty pieces of silver is referred to as a paltry amount of money compared to anything of real value.

Thirty pieces of silver. It is the legal price of a slave. They purchased Jesus like any other slave so there is some legality in handing him over to the Roman authorities. There is irony, of course, that Jesus was paid for out of the temple treasury, with silver that had been marked for the purchase of sacrifices. And irony that Jesus, who took the role of servant for us all, was purchased for the price of a slave.

Thirty pieces of silver. For Judas, the amount is not only the price of slavery to greed and ambition and self-preservation, but the value of his own cheapened life.

Thirty pieces of everything. Have we exchanged our life with the Lord for something else? Watching a movie, instead of going to Church? Telling a lie to cover-up our sins? Entering into questionable transactions for money? Jesus is the only wealth we should aspire for, we should crave for. Earthly possessions and money must be used for His glory, not in betraying Him. How are you using yours now?

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, we call ourselves Your friends yet one among us who ate at table with You betrayed You. We know that we often fail You. Transform us through Your Passion and the sufferings we merit to choose to bear for Your sake so that we may help reveal Your Glory at the appointed time. This we ask through Jesus our Lord, Your Son. Amen +

“Thirty pieces of silver is nothing;
Enriching your life in God is everything.”

Lord, in your great love, answer me.