Many, if not most, of us consider the consequences of our actions; however, they do ot usually include the possibility of death. Jesus, now in Jerusalem, knew that taking on the powers that ruled the city and the countryside, would have terrible consequences. Seeing Jesus as a threat to their corruption, the ruling powers became determined to bring him down. They needed a way to do that; their mechanism was Judas.
There are many kinds of betrayal, of course. How often have we been betrayed by our own ideals, our beliefs, which we thought were inviolable? How often have we betrayed ourselves by backing down from what we knew was right because we feared the consequences of our actions. Perhaps more times than we care to admit.
Of course, we think none of us here face what Jesus faced. True, but responding to the call to build a realm of peace and justice here can result in consequences we had not considered or anticipated. The question for us as we share in the bread and wine of community is how we will live our resolve and not betray it.
Prayer for the Day
We come to you, O Holy One, asking that you forgive our weakness,
For the Lenten road is difficult and we walk with dragging feet.
We do not want this last week, remembering death and suffering,
But an easy Easter with flowers and butterflies.
Show us the path and make clear the way,
So we are able to be your peacemakers in the world today.
In the name of him who came to bring us a new kind of peace,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen
Thoughts for the Day
Some people are in such utter darkness that they will burn you just to see a light.
Kamand Kourjori, Iranian born poet, now in Wales
“Et tu, Brute?”
William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Act 3, Scene 1 (1564-1616)
O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising up against me;
Many ae saying to me, “There is no help for you in God.”
But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
I cry aloud to the Lord and the Lord answers me from the holy hill.
I lie down and sleep; I wake again for the Lord sustains me.
I am not afraid of ten thousands of people, who have set themselves against me.
Rise up, O Lord! Deliver me, my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
You break the teeth of the wicked.
Psalm 3: 1-7