Gospel Reading: Matthew 26:14-25

14 Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve followers. He went to the religious leaders of the Jews. 15 He said, "What will you pay me if I hand Jesus over to you?" They promised to pay him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From that time on Judas looked for a way to hand Jesus over to them.

17 On the first day of the supper of bread without yeast the followers came to Jesus. They said, "What place do You want us to make ready for You to eat the supper of the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt?" 18 He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is near. I will eat the special supper at your house with My followers." ' " 19 The followers did as Jesus told them. They made things ready for this special supper.

20 When evening came, Jesus sat with the twelve followers. 21 As they were eating, Jesus said, "For sure, I tell you, one of you will hand Me over." 22 They were very sad. They said to Him one after the other, "Lord, is it I?" 23 He said, "The one who will hand Me over is the one who has just put his hand with Mine in the dish. 24 The Son of Man is going away as it is written of Him. It is bad for that man who hands the Son of Man over! It would have been better if he had not been born!" 25 Judas was the one who was handing Jesus over. He said, "Teacher, am I the one?" Jesus said to him, "You have said it."  

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9

6 I gave My back to those who hit Me, and My face to those who pull out the hair on my face. I did not cover My face from shame and spit. 7 For the Lord God helps Me, so I am not put to shame. I have set My face like hard stone, and know that I will not be ashamed.

Meditation: Jesus knew beforehand what would befall him. As Jesus ate the passover meal with his twelve apostles he put them under trial and suspicion (one of you will betray me) to teach them to examine themselves rightly, lest they be high minded and think themselves more strong than they were. We also must examine ourselves in the light of God's truth and grace and ask him to strengthen us in faith, hope, and love that we may not fail him or forsake him when we are tempted. Do you pray with confidence in the words Jesus gave us to pray: Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13)?

Prayer: "God our Father, we are exceedingly frail and indisposed to every virtuous and gallant undertaking.  Strengthen our weakness, we beseech you, that we may do valiantly in this spiritual war; help us against our own negligence and cowardice, and defend us from the treachery of our unfaithful hearts; for Jesus Christ's sake."  (Prayer of Thomas a Kempis)

Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31-34

8 I have become a stranger to my brothers, a stranger to my mother's sons.
 9 For the strong desire for Your house has burned me up. And the bad things said about You have fallen on me.
 10 When I cried and went without food, I was put to shame.

21 They gave me bitter drink in my food. And because I was thirsty they gave me sour wine.

 22 May their table in front of them become a net. May it become a trap when they are in peace.

31 This will please the Lord more than any ox or young bull with horns and hoofs.
 32 Those without pride will see it and be glad. You who look for God, let your heart receive new strength.
 33 For the Lord hears those who are in need, and does not hate His people in prison.

 34 Let heaven and earth and the seas and all the things that move in them give thanks to Him.