My Thoughts on 31/03/2021

Today’s Gospel from Saint Matthew tells of Judas asking the chief priests “What will you give me if I deliver him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. Was that the only motive of Judas, money?

We reflected a little on this yesterday. One commentator says that he thinks that it is not clear that he was simply betraying Jesus for the sake of money. We have no reason to believe that Judas did not start out as a sincerely committed disciple of Jesus. He was now a spy, one who keeps secret watch on a person to obtain information. This is why this day is known as Spy Wednesday. We are not sure of how much thirty pieces of silver was worth. We know it was not great sum. Perhaps it amounted to a few months wages of an ordinary worker.

As Fr John, Mgr Canon John and myself join many priests from the diocese at St. George’s Cathedral today for the Chrism Mass we will a have to opportunity to renew our priestly commitment.

We will be asked by the Archbishop:

• Are you resolved to unite yourselves more closely to Christ and to try to become more like him by joyfully sacrificing your own pleasure and ambition to bring his peace and love to your brothers and sisters?
• Are you resolved to be faithful ministers of the mysteries of God, to celebrate the Eucharist and the other liturgical services with sincere devotion?
• Are you resolved to imitate Jesus Christ, the head and shepherd of the Church, by teaching the Christian faith without thinking of your own profit, solely for the well-being of the people you were sent to serve?

Please do pray for all priest today that they may be filled with the fullness of Gods love and so be faithful and humble ministers of Christ.