April 1, 2026 // Wednesday of Holy Week
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25
Reflect on the Word //
I was sitting in the middle of a group of nine- to twelve-year-olds when I realized that the biggest problem in my family was me. We were in our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium, reflecting on Jesus’ instruction (mostly from Saint Matthew’s Gospel) on how to live. This reflection is a remarkably deep examination of conscience, and that day the one that struck me was from Matthew 7:3: “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?”
When I got remarried a few years after being widowed, I expected it to go a certain way. I unconsciously expected life to go “back to normal.” When it didn’t, I panicked and looked around for someone to blame. In my effort to make my life conform to my expectations, I stopped listening to the voice of Jesus. I allowed perfectionism to creep in, correcting my children—and even my husband—with harshness and undue frequency. The atmosphere of my home and my relationships with my family suffered as I clung to control.
When Judas began following Jesus, he expected something very different. The people of Israel were hoping for a military leader to free them from Roman rule, and along came a gentle, wandering rabbi preaching love for enemies and a Kingdom in Heaven. There must have been many moments, just as in today’s Gospel, when the disciples wondered why following Jesus felt so different from how they expected it to.
When reality hit Judas in the face, and he saw all that he would have to sacrifice to continue following, he turned his back, attempting to thwart the will of God by betraying Jesus. Instead of repenting of his sin, he abandoned hope and was lost.
Similarly to how the Last Supper really occurs mystically when we celebrate Holy Mass, each refusal to obey Him renews His betrayal by Judas. This Holy Week, we can open our hearts to see ourselves in the disciples’ weaknesses. But far from despairing in the face of our sin, we can turn to Jesus in faith and ask Him to heal us.
Relate to the Lord // How will you renew your love and trust in Jesus today as we prepare to enter into the Holy Triduum?
Elizabeth Blanke est une maman amoureuse de la nature qui élève trois extravertis aux cheveux roux dans la belle ville de Chicago. Elle est passionnée par la création d'une communauté catholique authentique et vous la trouverez le plus souvent dans la cuisine. Après la perte soudaine de son mari chéri du lycée, elle se penche sur la miséricorde du Christ et apprend à embrasser la Croix. En savoir plus sur elle ici .
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