On this day...

HYMN

In Parasceve

Judas Receiving Payment for his Betrayal, Giotto di Bondone (1267-1337)

On this day, Judas leaves his Master, and takes the devil for his guide. The love of money blinds him. He fell from the light, he became darkened ; for how could he be said to see, who sold the Light for thirty pieces of silver? But to us he has risen, he that suffered for the world : let us thus cry out unto him: Glory be to thee, that didst endure thy Passion, and hadst compassion, for mankind!

What was it, O Judas! that led thee to betray Jesus? Had he cut thee off from the number of his Apostles?  Had he deprived thee of the gift of healing the sick? When he supped with his Apostles, did he drive thee from table? When he washed their feet, did he pass thee by? And yet, thou wast unmindful of these great favours ! Thy ungrateful plot has branded thee with infamy: but his incomparable patience and great mercy are worthy of praise.

Say, O ye unjust ones!  What is it ye have heard from our Saviour?  Did he not expound unto you the Law and the Prophets? Why, therefore, have ye plotted how to redeem our souls?  They that had enjoyed thy unceasing gifts cried out: Let him be crucified! These murderers of such as were innocent, sought thee, that they might treat thee, their benefactor, as an evil-doer. But thou, O Christ! didst bear their wickedness with silence, for thou being the lover of mankind, didst desire to suffer for and save us.

We are prevented from speaking by the multitude of our sins: do thou, O Virgin Mother of God!  Pray for us to Him that was born of thee, for the Mother's prayer avails much with the mercy of our Lord. Despise not, O most pure Virgin! the prayers of sinners, for he that refused not even to suffer for us, is merciful, and is able to save us.

From The Liturgical Year,
by Dom Prosper Guéranger OSB