Sometimes, I shudder at the words that came out of Judas’ mouth when he asked the chief priests, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” (Matthew 26:15) His words seem so heartless for someone with such an intimate relationship with Christ. He journeyed with Him everywhere, sleeping, and eating alongside Him. He witnessed countless miracles and was deeply loved by Christ, and still these words escaped his lips.
So what happened? What moment convinced Judas that Christ was not the Messiah? Or even worse, knowing that He was the Messiah, what motivated him to hand Christ over to His death? To find greater value in thirty pieces of silver (the equivalent of about five weeks of work) than eternal life with God is unthinkable.
Compare this to the value Mary Magdalene placed on the Body of Christ a few verses earlier. (See Matthew 26:6-12.) Mary poured more than costly oil on the Body of Christ; she poured out her entire life. The value Mary placed on Jesus’ body (300 denarii or 300 days wages) silently proclaimed the value she placed in her salvation: priceless.
What value do we place on our salvation? How are we preparing our soul for eternal life? If we’re being honest, we’re probably more like Judas and less like Mary regarding what's valuable in our lives. We betray the Lord by sinning for far fewer than thirty pieces of silver with our choices, actions, and words. We choose this world over the Kingdom God has prepared for us time and time again.
“Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” (Matthew 26:22) It is you and it is me! And yet He still allowed soldiers to beat Him and crowds to spit in His face, all the while continuing to love us. As we prepare to enter into the Triduum, take time and ask what value you place on your relationship with Christ. Is your eternal salvation worth what it will cost you? It was worth it to Him.
Did you catch this blog post from last year on Saints to turn to in times of betrayal?
Tricia Tembreull is a California girl with a boundless passion for life. After two decades of ministering to teens and youth ministers as a trainer, ministry mentor, and speaker in Catholic youth ministry, Tricia now serves as Campus Minister at USC Caruso Catholic Center. She loves adventure and seeks it everywhere she goes. As an avid foodie, she enjoys testing new recipes out on friends and family, gathering them around the table to encounter Christ in one another and be drawn to the satisfying unity we crave in the Eucharist. You can find out more about her here.
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