Tuesday of Holy Week – Mass Readings and Reflection March 31, 2026

First Reading: (Isaiah 49:1–6)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 71)

Response: “My mouth will tell of your salvation, Lord.”

Gospel: (John 13:21–33, 36–38)

Gospel Proclamation

At that time, Jesus, reclining with His disciples, was troubled in spirit and testified:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”

Reflection: 

Today’s Gospel centers on a single act that leads Jesus to His Passion.

What is Betrayal?

Betrayal is the violation of trust and confidence.
It is:

• A break of loyalty

• The exposure of what was meant to be kept in love

• A wound inflicted by someone close

Betrayal is painful.

Yes, Jesus was destined to die, but did it have to be through betrayal?
Judas was not forced. He had a choice. And yet, he chose to betray.

The Pain of Betrayal

What makes it more painful is this:

It came from within.

“One of you will betray Me, one who has eaten with Me.”

The enemies of Jesus needed information. They did not know His movements. They needed an insider.

Judas chose to be that insider.

As Scripture echoes:

“If an enemy had insulted me, I could bear it… but it was you, my companion, my close friend.” (cf. Psalm 55:12)

The Kiss of Betrayal

Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss.

• A kiss: a symbol of love

• Yet used as a tool of deception

What should express love became a weapon.

The Root of Betrayal

Something always leads us to betray.

For Judas, it was:

• The love of money

But for us, it can be:

• Desire for power

• Bodily pleasure

• Fear of authority

• The need to fit in

Every betrayal begins with a disordered appetite.

Not Just Judas…

Judas was not alone.

• Peter betrayed Jesus by denying Him

• The apostles fled in fear

They all failed in loyalty.

And What About Us?

Before we condemn Judas or Peter, we must look inward.

We betray Jesus when:

• We deny the truth

• We live contrary to our faith

• We choose sin over Him

• We fail our baptismal promises

We once said:

“I will follow You.”

Yet often, like Peter:

We deny Him in our actions.

A Surprising Mercy

And yet, this is powerful,

Even knowing Judas would betray Him,
Jesus still offered him friendship.

“The one to whom I give this morsel…”

Even at the edge of betrayal,
grace was still being offered.

Final Prayer

Dear Lord,
Many times, we too have betrayed You.
Many times, we have not been loyal to Your friendship.

We ask for Your mercy.

As we journey deeper into Holy Week:

• Help us to be faithful

• Help us to be loyal

• Help us not to make empty promises

But to truly follow You, even to the cross.

Amen.