In the gospel reading today, Judas Iscariot pockets a bag of money, what it’s worth to hand Jesus over but the consequences weighs heavily. Here’s today’s reflection from Mass.
BIBLE READINGS: The readings for the Wednesday of Holy Week, can be found here
It’s reported that there are around 50 million men, women and children in modern slavery, more than ever before in history. In the UK experts believe that 122,000 people are currently held in slave-like conditions.
It’s estimated that for every person successfully rescued from the clutches of modern slavery and given the opportunity to receive support, at least seven more remain trapped and exploited. Modern slavery can take many different forms, but usually includes tricking, threatening or physically forcing people either into work for little or no pay, committing crimes or sexually exploiting them all to profit the trafficker.
In the gospel reading today, a price is paid for a Jesus, negotiated at thirty pieces of silver. But the burdens of such a betrayal prove too much for Judas and after Jesus is handed over, Judas can no longer live with himself. Whilst Judas is portrayed as a thief and someone who helped himself to the common fund, we can only imagine what his real motives were. Whatever they were, in that moment, even if he later regrets it, he agrees on how much Jesus is worth to him. A bag of silver coins.
As we move closer to the the liturgical celebration of Jesus’ suffering and death, and recall the way in which human beings can inflict such pain on others, we are reminded of the many ways in which the dignity of human life is often neglected, when individuals are treated as simple commodities for someone else’s gain. We can often be blind to injustice or choose to ignore it. The cross reminds us of the reality of suffering but also gives us hope. For it is through Christ’s death and resurrection that we are set free.
Mass today is at S Saviour’s Church at 630pm
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