Wednesday in Holy Week
The Way of the Disciple

Readings: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34; Matthew 26:14-25

Two key characters loom large in our readings today. Though their names are familiar, it is their respective designations that draw our attention. In the gospel, Jesus reclines at table with the Twelve, the Master with his disciples. But, in a sense, Jesus is also himself a disciple. For he is the One who most closely resembles the description we heard in the first reading, the One who most steadfastly follows the way marked out for him by his heavenly Father. Judas, on the other hand, is the turncoat, the chosen one who falls from grace, the cherished disciple who betrays his teacher. Disciple and traitor: these are the two designations that invite our attention and contemplation on this day before we accompany Jesus to his Passion.

Disciple and traitor: how do we tell them apart? Our readings identify for us at least three distinguishing characteristics. The first has to do with the path upon which they walk. As we have been noting in these days, Jesus’ journey epitomizes the walk of the disciple. he traverses the way of love and of freedom. His concern is to do the Father’s will, pouring himself out for the welfare of others. And in order to do this, he is willing even to endure suffering and shame, desolation and death. Yet the path he walks will finally lead him, and those who follow him, through the darkness of death into the brilliant light of resurrected life. In contrast, the walk of Judas, the traitor, is very different. Not only is it centered on the self and the insistent clamor of its immediate cravings and fears, but it is also a walk into enslavement. For the amount he receives in the gospel is also the cost of a slave. Thirty pieces of silver is Judas’ asking price, not only for his Master, but also for his very self. As we know only too well, Judas’ path will lead ultimately to the loss of his own life.

In addition to how they walk, both disciple and traitor are further distinguished by how they talk. As we heard in the first reading, the disciple speaks for the benefit of others. S/he speaks for the comfort and consolation of the wearied. And this is possible because the words that are the disciple’s gift to others s/he first receives from the Eternal One. The Lord has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them… In contrast, the traitor speaks only in his/ her own interest and only on his/ her own behalf. Consider how the gospel today ends with Jesus telling Judas: you have said so. Or, in another translation, they are your own words. This difference in speech is rooted in yet another distinguishing characteristic. The disciple is able to speak the words of the Master because s/he is first willing to listen. As we heard in the first reading: morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled… The traitor, of course, listens to other voices. In the words of our opening prayer, s/he is held captive by the power of the enemy.

Disciple and traitor, distinguished by how they walk, how they talk, and to whom they listen. If you are anything like me, you will perhaps find traits of both in yourself. Sometimes I am closer to one, at other times the other. Isn’t this why our attention is focused, especially in this week, on the Lord who accepted the cross and freed us from the power of the enemy?

How are we being challenged to examine how we walk and talk and listen today?