University Catholic Center at Emory University

Like the gospel from Tuesday in Holy Week, today's gospel presented the betrayal scene from the Last Supper, but with a slightly different view. The passage began with Judas conspiring to hand over the Lord to the religious leaders; for his efforts, the Iscariot would receive the infamous "thirty pieces of silver" (according to some scholars, about four months wages). Other disciples went to prepare the Passover meal, then Jesus and his inner circle met to celebrate the ritua...l supper. During the meal, he announced one would betray him. When pressed about the identity of the traitor, he indicated with the dipping of bread in a bowl of sauce at the same time as the betrayer. The act of such a man was so shameful, "it would have been better if he had not been born" (26:24) When Judas asked, "Is it I?" Jesus responded, "You said it." The wheels of the plot to kill the Lord were set in motion. Do you anticipate the celebration of Jesus' death with dread, resignation, or both? Why?

Even Jesus had places where he would venture to for prayer. Even the disciples needed to ask how best to pray. Where do you go to ask for help in prayer? We want to see your personal sacred space! "He was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." - Luke 11:1

Like a family dinner, eating together not only strengthens family bonds because of the interaction between its members, the act of sharing food can define the group itself. The meal described who the group is and help describe its destiny. When the Lord dipped his bread in the bowl at the same time as the Iscariot, he indicated they shared a certain fate. Judas, in his shameful way, would act to fulfill the glory of Jesus, a destiny that would reveal the Father and his relationship with his Son (John 13:31-32). This was a glory Jesus would endure alone, despite the protestations of Peter. What can you do today to prepare for the glory of Jesus on the cross?

Where do you pray? We'd love to see the intimate space where you find comfort in the Father's love. "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. - Matthew 6:6

In the Gospel of John today, two details foreshadowed the death of Jesus: the curiosity of the crowd and the intents of the leaders. People came to see the miracle maker and the one he raised from the dead; the leaders meant to blunt that curiosity to keep the populace in line. At the death of Jesus, people came to see the once-great healer die shamefully at the hands of the leaders; yet, that death would be a sign of God's presence and power, challenging the onlooker to believe. Does the sight of Jesus on the cross challenge your faith?