1 April, Wednesday — In Exchange for Jesus

Wednesday of Holy Week

Isa 50:4-9
Mt 26:14-25

What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?

The Judas moment – that moment Judas decided that he would exchange his relationship with Jesus for 30 silver pieces. According to AI, 30 pieces of silver would be equal to about $25,000 in today’s currency. Would we think of exchanging our relationship with Jesus for $25,000?

Honestly, I know I’ve exchanged Jesus for much less than that. Back when I was young, I would skip Mass. Mass is just an hour. Let’s just say with the commute and preparation, it would take 3-4 hours for me to get ready for Mass. I’m pretty sure those 4 hours would not be worth $25,000; but, I did exchange Jesus for that back then. And even now, even though I don’t skip Mass, I don’t show up for all my prayer dates with him. So yes, I’ve exchanged Jesus for far less than what Judas did. And realising that breaks my heart now.

It’s not always quantifiable when we think of when we exchange Jesus for something. For example, we might choose to exchange Jesus for some of our vices. There may be some decisions that we choose what we think will benefit us, instead of choosing to be in line with what Jesus wants. Like getting so angry, for example. Or cheating on exams. Or maybe saying an unkind comment. Or maybe ‘stealing’ office supplies for our personal use.

And you know what’s scary? It is that many may be so convinced that we will not exchange Jesus for big things; however, we do exchange Him for smaller things. In Screwtape letters, Screwtape writes,

“It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one — the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”

It is scary that we may be exchanging our Lord for far, far less than what Judas had done. And eventually, we would have totally betrayed our Lord.

Brothers and sisters, it is faithfulness in the small things that helps us make the big decision to stick with Jesus. There are many Judas moments in our lives. There are many times that we ask, “What would I get in exchange for Jesus?” I hope we do not settle for anything. Because no amount of treasure on earth is worth our relationship with Jesus.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Stephanie Villa)

Prayer: Lord, give me the grace to never betray you in words, thought or deed.

Thanksgiving: Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to repair my relationship with you, even though I have betrayed you.