Artist/Photographer: Jim Work
The last week of Jesus’ life on earth has us looking at relationships of all kinds. If you will enter the story and find yourself there, you can be open to the work of transformation. These Lectionary passages offer us a way to see how we value our relationships, including our relationship with money.
Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Gospel of Matthew 26
And when Judas ate the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus looked at Judas and said, “What you are planning to do, go do it now.” Some thought that Judas, their trusted treasurer, was being told to go buy what was needed for the Passover celebration, or perhaps to go give something to the poor. So Judas left quickly and went out into the dark night to betray Jesus. Gospel of John Read the full passage here John 13:21-28
Don’t you find it interesting that Jesus let Judas oversee the community purse? It seems that God always allows us an opportunity to let go of disordered attachments, what occupies our hearts, and sinful patterns. These moments become potent places for spiritual formation. We can choose to either be transformed or deformed. Tragically, Judas chose the latter.
Reflection questions:
What is your connection to money?
How much would it take for you to sell out your conscience?
How has the consumer culture affected you?
Do you use your money to get what you want, even the money you give to God?
Do you take your money and go when you stop getting what you want? How can Judas’s story help you keep from selling out?
Jesus said it this way, “What will it profit to gain the whole world and lose your soul?”
Today’s prayer offering is a “Breathe Prayer, ” a pocket prayer you can take with you momently to let go when you want to cling to something hurtful. Breathe this prayer when tempted to choose something in exchange for the peace of your soul.
Breathing in: I let go of________
Breathing : I keep my soul’s peace
Keep breathing,
