Aletan spiritual journey with discerning hearts from ashes to glory.

Day 43, the price of betrayal, a reading from Holy Gospel according to Matthew, 26-14-25.

One of the twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said,

What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?

They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he looked for an opportunity

to betray him.

Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus to say, Where do

you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?

He replied, Go to so and so in the city and say to him, The Master says, My time is near.

It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples.

The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the Passover.

When evening came he was at table with the twelve disciples, and while they were eating

he said, I tell you solemnly, one of you is about to betray me.

They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, Not I, Lord, surely.

He answered, Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me will betray me.

The Son of Man is going to his fate as the Scriptures say he will, but alas for that man

by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.

Better for that man if he had never been born.

Judas, who was to betray him, asked in his turn, Not I, Rabbi, surely.

They are your own words answered Jesus.

This is the day the bargain is made.

Judas goes to the chief priest, he doesn't stumble or hesitate, he asks the price.

The transaction is quiet, intentional, and heartbreakingly small.

30 silver coins, the going rate for a servant, that's what the Son of God is valued at.

But what's even more piercing is this, Jesus still chooses to eat with him.

He shares the table, he offers some bread, he allows him to remain close, even in betrayal.

Jesus holds nothing back even though he knows what is coming.

We might feel removed from this moment, but if we're honest, there may be places in our

own lives where we've made quiet traits, not out of hatred, not even consciously, just

slow movements of the heart, a little more comfort here, little less prayer there.

Distractions we let stay, silence, when we could have spoken, fear, when love called

us to act.

There is a part in every human heart that bargains with God, a part that clings to control, a part

that says, what will I get for this?

We may not hand them over to death, but how often have we silenced his voice, withheld

our love, chosen our own way?

Spy Wednesday is not just about betrayal, it's about the quiet decisions we make to trade

away intimacy with God, for comfort, for convenience, for control.

But Jesus still offers us the seed, still offers the bread, still calls us, friend.

John Cassian reminds us.

We must not imagine that we are safe from temptation simply because we feel secure.

The enemy waits not for the moment we are strong, but for when our guard is lowered.

This day invites us to gently examine our hearts, not to accuse, but to awaken.

Where have I settled?

What have I quietly allowed to take place?

And still, Jesus is here.

He offers the bread, he looks us in the eye.

Pope Benedict the 16th wrote.

In Judas, we see the mystery of human freedom and divine patience.

Jesus does not force him.

Even in the moment of betrayal, Jesus appeals to the heart.

He is still appealing to ours.

This is not the end of the story, but it is a moment of decision.

One of the twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said,

what are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?

They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment, he looked for an opportunity

to betray him.

Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus to say, where do

you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?

He replied, go to so and so in the city and say to him, the master says, my time is near.

It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples.

The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the Passover.

When evening came, he was at table with the twelve disciples, and while they were eating,

he said, I tell you solemnly, one of you is about to betray me.

They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, not I, Lord, surely.

He answered, someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me will betray me.

The Son of Man is going to his fate as the Scriptures say he will, but alas for that

man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.

Better for that man if he had never been born.

Judas, who was to betray him, asked in his turn, not I, Rabbi, surely.

They are your own words, answered Jesus.

Is there places in our lives where we have settled for less than the love of Christ?

That distractions or compromises quietly pull us away from him.

What is he inviting us to return to today before anything is lost?

Jesus, you saw Judas' plan, and still you offered him the bread.

You see the corners of our hearts.

The parts we are still guarding.

The compromises we may not even recognize.

You don't shame us.

You invite us.

Help us to return to you now with our whole heart before anything is lost.

Amen.