IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER FOR THAT MAN IF HE HAD NOT BEEN BORN
[WEDNESDAY, 4 APRIL 2012]
Gospel Reading: Matthew 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 deliver Him to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray Him.
Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will You have us prepare for You to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to such a one, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.’” And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
When it was evening, He sat at table with the twelve disciples; and as they were eating, He said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful, and began to say to Him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with Me, will betray Me. The Son of man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who betrayed Him, said, “Is it I, Master?” He said to him, “You have said so.” (Mt 26:14-25 RSV)
Prayer: Jesus, You said about Judas, that it would have been better if he hadn’t been born. He must have handed himself over to the devil, when he rejected You and hated Your teaching. How could I say that this same thing won’t happen to me? I beg You now: let me die, rather than turn against You or betray You.
I pray You to have mercy on all people who haven’t had the chance to know You and believe in You. I ask Your mercy for all who love themselves more than they love You. I beg You in my own sinfulness to give another chance to those who have turned away from You in despair or hate. Help me to love everyone in such a way that my loving will help them not to sin or fall away from You. Forgive me for those I’ve caused to sin by my words or actions. Jesus, our Savior, have mercy on all the world. Amen.
