Surely Not I, Lord – Reflection on Matthew 26:14-25
As I have gotten to know Jesus through this year’s Lenten passages, I find the human element intriguing from a historical perspective. It seems easier to imagine in Jesus’ timeframe that an unnamed man would not hesitate to say “Yes” when asked to open his home to “strangers” for a meal. His acceptance invites the Passion story to begin. Unlike the disciples, who knew Jesus’s possibilities directly, the homeowner must be in awe of the event of epic proportions. He hears and sees the conversation move to Christ’s betrayer dipping into the unnamed man’s bowl. The instant when the bowl was filled with darkness and then held Jesus’s light still echoes; surely not I, Lord
The Last Supper, Judas Dipping his Hand in the Dish by James Tissot (full-resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Matthew 26:14-25 – Scripture*
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
The Passover with the Disciples
17 On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.
20 When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; 21 and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” 25 Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 26:14-25 Reflection – Surely Not I, Lord.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Luke 9 passage.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Surely not I
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