Wednesday of Holy Week
He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. (Matthew 26:23)
What a cryptic saying! Was Jesus trying to reveal the identity of his betrayer? Or was he simply suggesting that all the apostles would betray him in some way or another? After all, each of them had dipped his hand into the dish with Jesus at some point during the meal. It was only as Judas spoke up that he was singled out.
Like the Twelve, each of us “dips into the dish” with Jesus whenever we eat his Body and drink his Blood in Communion. Like the Twelve, each of us has betrayed the Lord in some way at one time or another in our lives. And chances are we’ll do it again. Why? Because we’re only human.
This can sound depressing, but there is good news here as well: we are forgiven! Whether we have committed great sins or small ones, it doesn’t matter. The Pharisees, who were trying hard but had become inflexible, needed forgiveness just as much as notorious sinners like the prostitutes and tax collectors. And so do we. Whether we have committed murder or are simply harboring a small grudge against someone, we all need Jesus to set us free.
This is a message of great hope—not just for ourselves but for the people around us! Every one of us who comes to the table of the Lord is a forgiven sinner. The next time you are at Mass, take a look around and recognize the people gathered with you as part of your family. You are all “dipping into the dish” with Jesus. Thank the Lord that you are all covered by his mercy and love.
May this realization bring us to unity with each other as well. Jesus’ greatest desire is that all his children will become one as he and his Father are one. Let’s ask him today to teach us to be merciful as he is merciful, so that this deep longing of his might be fulfilled!
“Thank you, Lord, for your sacrifice on the cross. Please make us one in you as you and the Father are one. Give us true humility and compassion for one another as we strive together to live for you.”
Isaiah 50:4-9
Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34