GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 12TH APRIL 2017
WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK
FIRST READING: Isaiah 50:4-9
PSALM: Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34
GOSPEL: Matthew 26:14-25
THEME: THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER
The term, “donkomi”, as used by traders at the market in Ghana is often associated with cheap street side commodities that are subject to price negotiation and payment. The paltry sum of money that Judas accepted to betray his master, as narrated in today’s Gospel text, depicts a case of “donkomi” – a “street side” price. It sounds ridiculous that Judas Iscariot would hand over Jesus to the chief priests for a price of thirty pieces of silver.
Thirty pieces of silver was the price of a slave according to Exodus 21:32. Thus, Judas treated Jesus, not as his master but as his slave. That would mean, all along, Judas was expecting Jesus to do his will and not he doing the will of Jesus. Perhaps, this explains why Judas was dissatisfied with Jesus. Finally, when disappointment set in, he betrayed his master.
To betray one’s master for such a trifling sum speaks volume about the character of Judas. He was a man without self-worth. He appears to be a character who would settle for anything so long as he got something. This is how far sin can reduce a person. Judas, most probably, did not develop this repulsive character in just one day, for we are told elsewhere (see Jn 12:6) that he had a penchant for money and since he was in charge of the common fund, he benefited himself through pilfering.
The truth is that each one of us is precious in the eyes of God but when sin manages to rob us of that truth we lose the sense of shame and settle for anything with our lives. Consequently, “little sins” gradually grow to become scandals and before we realise we are selling Jesus our master at “donkomi.” The secret of the saints in the battle against sin is their life of prayer. When sin knocks at your door, respond with prayer. The harder the knock, the more one must pray.
PRAYER: Jesus, you emptied yourself and took the form of a slave to redeem me from my slavery to sin. Draw me close to you each day and help me not to betray you. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen)