Today is Wednesday, the fourth day of Holy Week.May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew 26:14-16"14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over."On Wednesday of Holy Week, we consider an action of betrayal. One friend prepares to turn another friend in to the authorities. One friend turns another friend over to his death. Judas Iscariot had been with Jesus along with the other disciples. He’d seen the same miracles. He’d heard the same messages. He’d walked the same paths. He’d listened to Jesus talk about the kingdom of God. How do you imagine this shift toward cynicism and betrayal grew in Judas’ heart?“What are you willing to give me?” These remind me of the kind of words that invite temptation to vice. The real question they’re asking is more important: “What am I willing to sell out for?” “What’s the price of my friendship? My loyalty? My faithfulness?” As you listen to the passage again, consider what Judas’ frame of mind must have been like in this moment."14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over."Thirty pieces of silver. Not a ton of money. Not an insignificant amount either. Scholars disagree about the value. But we know that after the exchange, Judas had regrets. He was remorseful. He went to the chief priests and tried to return the money. Why? He was clearly a conflicted man. “What are you willing to give me?” he asked. But Jesus had already answered that question when he said: I have come that you might have life – and life to the full! As we end our time today, can you identify with Judas’ remorse? Can you feel his sudden realization that it’d gone all wrong? Can you sit with Judas, head in his hands, full of grief and sorrow? Trying to make it right? But can you, like Judas did not, cast your sorrows and regrets and repentance onto Christ himself, and find yourself welcomed back, yet again, into His care and keeping?Music Credit:Have Mercy (feat. Napsai Orlai) - Heaven Ane Earth (YouTube)

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