14 Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests  15 and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver,  16 and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. (26:14-16) 

There is only one previous reference to Judas (10:4) – even there we were informed that Judas betrayed Jesus.  In these few verses we discover the nature of that betrayal: (a) it is at Judas’ initiative, and (b) Judas asks for money.  The text gives no reason for the betrayal, but the actions stand in stark contrast to the woman (26:6-13) who has just anointed Jesus’ head – something Jesus identifies as a preparation for burial – which Judas is seemingly arranging. Continue reading →

On the sixth Sunday during Lent we have a unique liturgical feature: two gospels. At the start of the Mass, there is a gospel proclaimed that recalls Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the event we remember as “Palm Sunday.” What follows the reading of that gospel is a procession which serves as the entry of the priest celebrant into the sanctuary. The celebration of the Mass continues. Then, as part of the Liturgy of the Word, there is a second gospel proclaimed: the Passion narrative.  It is the proclamation of the two gospels that gives the Sunday its formal name. While we often refer to it as Palm Sunday, the correct title of the celebration is “Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.” Continue reading →