
I Spy
Matthew 26:14-25 New Living Translation
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests 15 and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
The Last Supper
17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?”
18 “As you go into the city,” he told them, “you will see a certain man. Tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My time has come, and I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus told them and prepared the Passover meal there.
20 When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table[a] with the Twelve. 21 While they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.”
22 Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one, Lord?”
23 He replied, “One of you who has just eaten from this bowl with me will betray me. 24 For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”
25 Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, “Rabbi, am I the one?”
And Jesus told him, “You have said it.”
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Tradition refers to this day as Spy Wednesday, the day when Judas proceeded to betray Jesus by helping plan his ambush and arrest. And the question it raises for us personally is, surely it is not I Lord?”
We do not choose to see Judas in ourselves, none of us desire to be known as a betrayer of Jesus, the one “damned for all times“as Judas sings before the chief priests in Jesus Christ Superstar. Today I will listen to that music again, for it is so profound it draws us into the perspective of Judas, his tragic struggle, his limited but passionate views, his practical worldliness. I cry when hearing or watching it because I get where he is coming from.
I struggle with being Judas every day. I remember the betrayals I have done, and how at times I want to betray Jesus by walking away from this ministry.
I entered this journey, on the streets, now many years ago, and every day I hear and see the pain of violence, lack of food and housing, extreme loneliness and desolation, and allow those souls into my life. And it hurts like hell. I have found “The streets transform every ordinary day into a series of quick questions and every incorrect answer risks a beat down, shooting, or pregnancy.” (can not find the author’s name, sorry)
Frequently I reflect on how nice it would be to move to Palm Springs, find a small place, and simply live alone, out of all this craziness, and that is Judas talking.
And so before we enter the Triduum, join me in taking a hard, and honest pause with Judas. There is grace, yes grace, in his story if we allow it to reveal to us the parts of ourselves that need conversion. Let us pray:
Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ inebriated me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to you.
That with your saints I may praise you
forever and ever.
Deo Gratias! Thanks be to God!
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Fr. River Damien Sims, sfw, D.Min., D.S.T.
P.O. Box 646256
San Francisco, CA 94164
414-305-2124
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Tenderloin Stations of the Cross
April 2, 2021
Meet in front of City Hall
Polk Street side
at Noon–or shall we way around noon.
Come participate, read a part, see the crucifixion all around us.
We will social distance, will have masks available.
Giving pizza out n honor of Philip Workman
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