April 5 2023: Bible Verse of the Day – Judas Denies Being Jesus’ Betrayer – Matthew 26:14-25
Wednesday of the Holy Week
24 The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.”
Matthew 26:14-25
25 Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”
Let us Pray, Dear Lord, during this Holy Week, I humbly ask for the strength to confront my flaws and shortcomings.
Though I am aware of my sins, I struggle to acknowledge them.
Please help me to surrender my faults to You, so that I may be liberated and granted Your overflowing compassion. Amen.
Catholic Readings for Today
Bible Verse of the Day for April 5 2023 Reflections
While it’s unclear whether Judas was in denial about his role in betraying Jesus, his actions reveal that he did indeed betray Him.
Judging from his words, Judas seemed to lack recognition of his act as a betrayal, which suggests he may have been in significant denial.
Denial, when expressed as an acronym, suggests that an individual may be unaware that they are deceiving themselves.
It’s possible that Judas was so deeply entrenched in his sin that he couldn’t even acknowledge to himself, let alone to others, that he was lying and planning to betray Jesus for financial gain.
This thought is very scary because it highlights the consequences of habitual sin. Repeatedly committing sin can lead to that sin being easily rationalized, justified, and denied as sin altogether.
Once caught in this negative cycle, it can be challenging to break free, and the only way to cope may be to continue denying the truth.
This is a valuable lesson to remember during Holy Week. Examining one’s sins is not enjoyable, but it requires significant bravery.
Reflecting on Judas’ actions prompts us to consider what could have transpired if he had acknowledged and confessed to his betrayal intentions.
Consider the possibility of Judas breaking down in front of Jesus and the other Apostles and disclosing the full truth of his intentions.
Such an act of honesty could have potentially saved his life and his soul for eternity. Although it would have been a difficult and shameful experience, it would have been the right thing to do.
This concept also applies to each of us. Although we may not be at a stage where our sins lead to betraying Jesus, we all have habitual sins that require examination during Holy Week.
With the assistance of God, it’s important to identify patterns or behaviors that we have developed.
Acknowledging and confronting our habitual sins with honesty and bravery can lead to significant personal growth.
This allows us to abandon any form of self-deception and overcome these sins, ultimately leading to a greater sense of liberation and fulfillment in accordance with God’s desire for us.
Take a moment to contemplate Judas’ statement, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” and recognize the pain this denial likely caused Jesus.
Similarly, consider how often you may deny your sins without truly repenting. Let this Holy Week be an opportunity to embrace honesty and integrity.
God’s mercy is boundless and immaculate, and acknowledging our sins is a crucial step towards receiving that mercy.
Bible Verse of the Day in Pictures
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