Lament Suffering and Betrayal

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to persevere when our efforts to live as friends of Jesus are met with rejection and misunderstanding.

Love for Life Challenge

The Reading from the Prophet Jeremiah presents Jeremiah Threatened with Death.

a. [26:2] Jer 7:2.

b. [26:3] Jer 18:3.

c. [26:5] Jer 25:4.

d. [26:6] Jer 7:12, 14. (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 26 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 69 is a lament complaining of suffering.

 

* [Psalm 69] A lament complaining of suffering in language both metaphorical (Ps 69:2–3, 15–16, the waters of chaos) and literal (Ps 69:4, 5, 9, 11–13, exhaustion, alienation from family and community, false accusation). In the second part the psalmist prays with special emphasis that the enemies be punished for all to see (Ps 69:23–29). Despite the pain, the psalmist does not lose hope that all be set right, and promises public praise (Ps 69:30–36). The Psalm, which depicts the suffering of the innocent just person vividly, is cited often by the New Testament especially in the passion accounts, e.g., Ps 69:5 in Jn 15:25; Ps 69:22 in Mk 15:23, 36 and parallels and in Jn 19:29. The Psalm prays not so much for personal vengeance as for public vindication of God’s justice. There was, at this time, no belief in an afterlife where such vindication could take place. Redress had to take place now, in the sight of all. (Psalms, PSALM 69 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus' Rejection at Nazareth.

* [13:54–58] After the Sermon on the Mount the crowds are in admiring astonishment at Jesus’ teaching (Mt 7:28); here the astonishment is of those who take offense at him. Familiarity with his background and family leads them to regard him as pretentious. Matthew modifies his Marcan source (Mk 6:1–6). Jesus is not the carpenter but the carpenter’s son (Mt 13:55), “and among his own kin” is omitted (Mt 13:57), he did not work many mighty deeds in face of such unbelief (Mt 13:58) rather than the Marcan “…he was not able to perform any mighty deed there” (Mk 6:5), and there is no mention of his amazement at his townspeople’s lack of faith. (Matthew, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Sara Schulte-Bukowinski comments that before her Ignatian pilgrimage she was invited to participate in a group discernment conversation among partners of the Society. These Conversations in the Spirit happened all over the world amongst Jesuits and lay colleagues who collaborate in Jesuit works. The fruit of those conversations converged there in the Aula as the Universal Apostolic Preferences were discerned. This shared mission—its clarity and its openness to an uncertain future—is what moved me to tears.

On this Memorial of St. Ignatius I pray for the future of Jesuit Works and all who move them forward, for the Society of Jesus itself, for the entire Christian community, for the world, and also for myself as one pilgrim among many. May we learn from Ignatius what it means to hold the tension between clarity and uncertainty; confidence and humility. May we commit, recommit, and recommit yet again to the fundamental call of the Divine, with humble uncertainty about the details, making space for creativity, flexibility and sharing in God’s vision of a future we cannot imagine. (Schulte-Bukowinski, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes Few miracles done because of their unbelief, by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)

"It seems to me that the production of miracles is similar in some ways to the case of physical things. Cultivation is not sufficient to produce a harvest of fruits unless the soil, or rather the atmosphere, cooperates to this end. And the atmosphere of itself is not sufficient to produce a harvest without cultivation. The one who providentially orders creation did not design things to spring up from the earth without cultivation. Only in the first instance did he do so when he said, 'Let the earth bring forth vegetation, with the seed sowing according to its kind and according to its likeness' (Genesis 1:11). It is just this way in regard to the production of miracles. The complete work resulting in a healing is not displayed without those being healed exercising faith. Faith, of whatever quality it might be, does not produce a healing without divine power.' (excerpt from the COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 10.19) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler reflects that in the reading from Jeremiah, he is ordered to go to the Temple and declare it would be destroyed. This amounts to blasphemy when it refers to the dwelling place of God upon the earth, but it has become a place of superstition and their cult is not kind to the people. They want to put Jeremiah to death but God protects him with a bronze wall. Jesus in Nazareth is greeted with the attitude of “Who does he think he is?” Friar Jude notes that the word for siblings “cousins” in Aramaic also can refer to “cousins”. Orthodox believe the Gospel may refer to half-brothers? Some Protestants believe they were true brothers and sisters. Friar Jude notes Roman Catholic belief is connected to ancient tradition that Jesus was an only child of Mary. Friar Jude comments how we seek the flaws of those too close or familiar to us.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Psalm 69:5, 8-10, 14 comments that Jesus would quote this psalm again during his passion, They “hate me without cause” (Psalm 69:5; see John 15:25). We can listen in on his prayer to the Father in his distress, distress that comes not despite his relationship with his Father but because of it.

We pray it for ourselves when we face opposition for speaking truth or doing right. We may not match the heroism of Jeremiah. We certainly do not love our enemies perfectly, as Jesus did. So we pray this prayer with them, so that in “the time of [his] favor,” the Lord might make us like them (Psalm 69:14).

“Lord, in your great love answer me!” (Meditation on Psalm 69:5, 8-10, 14, n.d.)

CAC faculty member Brian McLaren highlights how reading the Bible through a lens of love has inspired many Christians to works of goodness and compassion in the world.

But again, think about what truly biblical Christians (Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, liberal, conservative, charismatic, whatever) have done when they have understood the profitable purpose of Scripture. Instructed by Scripture, they have … built hospitals and schools to heal bodies and strengthen minds. They have given money to needy people around the globe…. They have crossed racial, ethnic, and class barriers, seeing all people as brothers and sisters. They have chosen to suffer rather than betray their faith or make others suffer…. They’ve done their work as teachers, farmers, bricklayers, nurses, scholars, mechanics, sellers, public servants, scientists, homemakers, cab drivers, and cooks with a special sense of purpose, love, and joy. Their “good works” included doing “good work” from day to day … as part of their holy, sacred vocation in God’s creation.

Why? Since they understood the real purpose of Scripture, they let Scripture equip them for good works in our needy world. Their words and deeds together have qualified them to be bearers of good news. Sure they have never been perfect, but they have often been wonderful. (McLaren, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to alert us to the danger of satisfaction with popular culture and kindle in us the fire of action to support and care for the people in our home, worship, and work environment.

References

Jeremiah, CHAPTER 26 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 31, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/26? 

Matthew, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 31, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13? 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 31, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/how-will-we-use-the-bible/ 

Meditation on Psalm 69:5, 8-10, 14. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved July 31, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/07/31/1635930/ 

Psalms, PSALM 69 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 31, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/69? 

Schulte-Bukowinski, S. (2026, July 31). Daily Reflection July 31, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved July 31, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-31-2026 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). They Took Offense at Jesus. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 31, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Guide for Life

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, Father’s Day, invite us to reflect on the love of parents that perseveres in challenges and celebrates love.

Guide for Fathers

The Reading from Jeremiah resonates with persecution of the sinless.

g. [20:10] Jb 19:19; Ps 31:13; Lk 20:20.

h. [20:11] Jer 1:8; 15:20.

i. [20:12] Jer 11:20.

j. [20:13] Ps 35:9–10; 109:30–31. (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 69 is a lament complaining of suffering

* [Psalm 69] A lament complaining of suffering in language both metaphorical (Ps 69:2–3, 15–16, the waters of chaos) and literal (Ps 69:4, 5, 9, 11–13, exhaustion, alienation from family and community, false accusation). In the second part the psalmist prays with special emphasis that the enemies be punished for all to see (Ps 69:23–29). Despite the pain, the psalmist does not lose hope that all be set right, and promises public praise (Ps 69:30–36). The Psalm, which depicts the suffering of the innocent just person vividly, is cited often by the New Testament especially in the passion accounts, e.g., Ps 69:5 in Jn 15:25; Ps 69:22 in Mk 15:23, 36 and parallels and in Jn 19:29. The Psalm prays not so much for personal vengeance as for public vindication of God’s justice. There was, at this time, no belief in an afterlife where such vindication could take place. Redress had to take place now, in the sight of all. (Psalms, PSALM 69 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from Romans reflects on sin and redemption. 

* [5:12–21] Paul reflects on the sin of Adam (Gn 3:1–13) in the light of the redemptive mystery of Christ. Sin, as used in the singular by Paul, refers to the dreadful power that has gripped humanity, which is now in revolt against the Creator and engaged in the exaltation of its own desires and interests. But no one has a right to say, “Adam made me do it,” for all are culpable (Rom 5:12): Gentiles under the demands of the law written in their hearts (Rom 2:14–15), and Jews under the Mosaic covenant. Through the Old Testament law, the sinfulness of humanity that was operative from the beginning (Rom 5:13) found further stimulation, with the result that sins were generated in even greater abundance. According to Rom 5:15–21, God’s act in Christ is in total contrast to the disastrous effects of the virus of sin that invaded humanity through Adam’s crime.

* [5:12] Inasmuch as all sinned: others translate “because all sinned,” and understand v 13 as a parenthetical remark. Unlike Wis 2:24, Paul does not ascribe the entry of death to the devil. (Romans, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches about acknowledgement and denial.

* [10:26] The concealed and secret coming of the kingdom is to be proclaimed by them, and no fear must be allowed to deter them from that proclamation.

* [10:32–33] In the Q parallel (Lk 12:8–9), the Son of Man will acknowledge those who have acknowledged Jesus, and those who deny him will be denied (by the Son of Man) before the angels of God at the judgment. Here Jesus and the Son of Man are identified, and the acknowledgment or denial will be before his heavenly Father. (Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Tom Kelly shares it is easy to imagine bad consequences for bad actions, after all that is what we are taught as children. But when negative consequences come from something we do that promotes Gospel fidelity—this is more difficult to accept.

We are supposed to treat the person on the side of the road with the same love and care as we treat our own family with—and that would mean a great deal of difficulty and inconvenience if I lived that out. What if helping others gets in the way of my $1.4 million retirement goal? (My sense of security rests in my Savings Account, because if I don’t take care of myself, nobody else will.) Am I supposed to use resources for others when I am planning for retirement? Do I deserve 10 years on a golf course if children are dying of hunger? (Everyone is supposed to save, regardless of the state of the world.) Should I visit the sick, homeless, or marginalized when I really want to go to that sporting event? What do I do for me? What do I do for others? These are deep questions of paying a price for what we believe.

Discernment is our capacity to choose between these “goods” and respond in the way that God calls us to. It is an imperfect art, full of our own biases and prejudices. Sometimes these discernments are easy, and other times there is a price to pay. Jesus seems to imply that being faithful to the Gospel may even require our life! I know what I want to live for, but what would I die for? These are the questions that come to my mind as I reflect on today’s readings. They are not easy. (Kelly, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Fear not, you are of more value than many sparrows,” by John Chrysostom, 344-407 A.D.

"What do you see in creation of less value than a tiny sparrow? But even the sparrow will not fall without God's knowledge. Jesus does not mean that the sparrow falls by God's direct will because it is unworthy but that nothing that occurs is hidden from God. If then God is not ignorant of anything that happens in creation, and if God loves us more truly than the best human father, and if God loves us so as to have numbered our very hairs, then we need not be afraid. Jesus said this not to indicate that God literally has a number placed on the very hairs of our head but rather to show that God has perfect knowledge of everything about us and providentially cares for everything about us. Therefore, if God both knows all things that happen to us and is able to save us and willing to do so, then whatever we may be suffering, we need not think that God has forsaken us in our suffering. For it is not God's will to keep us wholly separated from that which elicits dread but rather to persuade us not to make an idol out of whatever we dread. It is this, more than anything else, that constitutes deliverance from dread. 'Therefore, don't be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.' Don't you see that God views your fear with more concern than the lives of many sparrows? He already knows the secrets of your heart. Hence Jesus adds, 'Do not fear.' For even if that which you dread prevails, it prevails only over your body; this is the limited part of yourself, which nature will surely take in due time and bring to an end." (excerpt from The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 34, 2-3) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 10:26-33 that God knows that there are plenty of dangers in this world that can make us afraid.

So how can we counter our fears? By making a conscious decision to trust in the Lord—and to remember how trustworthy he is! You can trust him . . .

Take Jesus’ words to heart today: You are worth more than many sparrows. Let them fill you with the fortitude to trust God and walk in his ways. He cares for you. He won’t eliminate every trial or danger in this life, but he will safeguard your soul so that you can live eternally with him in heaven (Matthew 10:28). And in heaven, you will never be afraid again!

“Father, you are worthy of all my trust!” (Meditation on Matthew 10:26-33, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the challenge of dismissal in the passage from Jeremiah and the grace and freedom that Jesus promises to Paul in Letter to the Romans. In the Gospel Jesus warns us about those who can kill the soul as a far greater fear than killing the body. Friar Jude restates the paradox that If they kill us they will never be able to harm us.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, finds encouragement in his belief that we are created in the image of God, who is love.

The Jesuit priest and scientist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin wrote, “Love is the physical structure of the universe.” [1] Our theological or scriptural way of saying the same thing is “Let us create in our image” (Genesis 1:26). The universe—and each of us—are made in the image of the triune God, who is love, a dynamic cycling of infinite outpouring and infinite receiving.

If God is both incarnate and implanted, both Christ and Holy Spirit, then an unfolding inner dynamism in all creation is not only certain but also moving in a positive direction. If we are to have foundational hope, it almost demands a foundational belief in a world that is still and always unfolding toward something better. This is the virtue of hope. Personally, I have found that it is almost impossible for individuals or communities to heal over the long haul if they do not trust that the whole cosmic arc is also on a trajectory toward the good.

Admittedly, sometimes the suffering and injustices of our time make it hard to believe in that arc of love. I think that is part of the church’s major failure: to provide Western civilization with a positive, hopeful, and cosmic understanding of our own “good news.” [2]

Choctaw elder and Episcopal bishop Steven Charleston describes how this love and foundational hope surround us at all times:

The tipping point of faith is the threshold of spiritual energy, where what we believe becomes what we do. When that power is released, there is no stopping it, for love is a force that cannot be contained….

Hope is the catalyst, the tipping point where what we believe becomes what we do….

Hope lets us literally see the presence and action of the holy in our everyday lives. This is not an imaginary desire viewed through rose-colored glasses. It is the solid evidence of the power of love made visible in abundance…. (Rohr, n.d.)

We are grateful today as we ponder with the Spirit, the guides that have accompanied our journey and today affirm the role of our parents in persevering in support of their children.

References

Jeremiah, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/20?10 

Kelly, T. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved June 21, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-june-21-2026 

Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10?26 

Meditation on Matthew 10:26-33. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved June 21, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/06/21/1595943/ 

Psalms, PSALM 69 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/69?8 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Love Is the Foundation of Hope. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 21, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/love-is-the-foundation-of-hope/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/5? 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Fear Not - You Are of More Value Than Many Sparrows. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 21, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Betrayal and Service

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, Wednesday of Holy Week, invite us to greater awareness of the betrayal, conscious or systemic, of people we perceive with fear and Jesus calls with love. 

Our Fear Betrays Us

The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah presents the third “Suffering Servant of the Lord”.

* [50:4–11] The third of the four “servant of the Lord” oracles (cf. note on 42:1–4); in vv. 4–9 the servant speaks; in vv. 10–11 God addresses the people directly.

* [50:5] The servant, like a well-trained disciple, does not refuse the divine vocation.

* [50:6] He willingly submits to insults and beatings. Tore out my beard: a grave and painful insult. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 50 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 69 is a lament complaining of suffering.

* [Psalm 69] A lament complaining of suffering in language both metaphorical (Ps 69:2–3, 15–16, the waters of chaos) and literal (Ps 69:4, 5, 9, 11–13, exhaustion, alienation from family and community, false accusation). In the second part the psalmist prays with special emphasis that the enemies be punished for all to see (Ps 69:23–29). Despite the pain, the psalmist does not lose hope that all be set right, and promises public praise (Ps 69:30–36). (Psalms, PSALM 69 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew presents the decision to betray Jesus by Judas and Preparations for the Passover.

* [26:14] Iscariot: see note on Lk 6:16.

* [26:15] The motive of avarice is introduced by Judas’s question about the price for betrayal, which is absent in the Marcan source (Mk 14:10–11). Hand him over: the same Greek verb is used to express the saving purpose of God by which Jesus is handed over to death (cf. Mt 17:22; 20:18; 26:2) and the human malice that hands him over. Thirty pieces of silver: the price of the betrayal is found only in Matthew. It is derived from Zec 11:12 where it is the wages paid to the rejected shepherd, a cheap price (Zec 11:13). That amount is also the compensation paid to one whose slave has been gored by an ox (Ex 21:32).

* [26:17] The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread: see note on Mk 14:1. Matthew omits Mark’s “when they sacrificed the Passover lamb.”

* [26:18] By omitting much of Mk 14:13–15, adding My appointed time draws near, and turning the question into a statement, in your house I shall celebrate the Passover, Matthew has given this passage a solemnity and majesty greater than that of his source.

* [26:21] Given Matthew’s interest in the fulfillment of the Old Testament, it is curious that he omits the Marcan designation of Jesus’ betrayer as “one who is eating with me” (Mk 14:18), since that is probably an allusion to Ps 41:10. However, the shocking fact that the betrayer is one who shares table fellowship with Jesus is emphasized in Mt 26:23.

* [26:24] It would be better…born: the enormity of the deed is such that it would be better not to exist than to do it.

* [26:25] Peculiar to Matthew. You have said so: cf. Mt 26:64; 27:11. This is a half-affirmative. Emphasis is laid on the pronoun and the answer implies that the statement would not have been made if the question had not been asked. (Matthew, CHAPTER 26 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mirielle Mason mentions that in our endeavors to emulate a Christ-like love we will always fall short, because we are human. We betray Jesus with our sin, but we have a choice to make. Will we live in shame and denial, as Judas did or will we seek repentance, continually strive for more, and always look to accept the endless love God has for us? She thinks of Peter, who betrayed Jesus when he denied Him three times, but chose the second path, and is now revered as Saint and the first pope of the Catholic Church.

As we approach Easter, I pray that we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord. Help us to be like Peter, who sought the Lord’s forgiveness and accepted the gift of His mercy. May we trust in our Father’s most difficult plans for us, and be filled with the patience and love required to respect those who hurt us along the way, just as Jesus did with Judas. (Mason, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “God's help for a complete conversion”, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"When we transform our old life and give our spirit a new image, we find it hard and tiring to turn back from the darkness of earthly passions to the serene calm of the divine light. We thus ask God to help us that a complete conversion may be brought about in us." (excerpt from Confessions 10,4) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that today is sometimes called “spy Wednesday”. The passage from Isaiah is the third Song of the Suffering Servant who will be tortured for what is said and God will comfort him. In Matthew’s Gospel Judas is given 30 pieces of silver. Why this amount? This amount of money was the penalty for an ox goring a slave. Is Jesus treated as a slave? After instructed to prepare the Supper one of the twelve will betray him. Jesus identifies the betrayer as one who has his dipped hand into the dish. This is a very ambiguous “One of You”. In John’s Gospel, Jesus gives Judas that bread in the end and he responds “Not I rabbi” Friar Jude comments that this may indicate that Jesus knew who would betray him but He still called Judas to do the will of the Father.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 26:14-25 notes how well Jesus knows these men—and how little they know themselves!

“Jesus, it is good for me to be here, reflecting on this scene. Tomorrow will remind me in a special way that I’m a part of it. At every Mass, it’s like I’m sitting elbow-to-elbow with your apostles at the Last Supper. Like them, I’m flawed and weak. But as I eat your Body and drink your Blood, your life flowing in me makes me strong. And so, looking not at my sins and weaknesses but at your power, I boldly dare to offer a prayer that many Eastern Catholics recite before receiving Communion: ‘I will not betray you with a kiss, as did Judas, but like the repentant thief, I openly profess you: Remember me, O Lord, in your kingdom.’”

“Jesus, thank you for giving your life out of love for me.” (Meditation on Matthew 26:14-25, n.d.)

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Karen González, an immigrant advocate, who points to the story of Joseph in Genesis 37 as an example of God’s love and protection for foreigners.

 

For many immigrants and others on the underside of history, God’s presence in suffering isn’t about complex theological arguments about theodicy or sovereignty or how bad things can happen to good people. For them, God’s presence in suffering is what enables them to live. Indeed, for many who suffer, Christ on the cross offers the comfort of knowing that they serve a God who himself has known great sorrow and suffering. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)

Fear leads to scapegoating while friendship leads us to welcome Christ in our midst:

Fear has become the default in the current immigration conversation in North America, even for followers of Jesus, who are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. The Bible speaks to the need for philoxenia [love of foreigners] repeatedly, from Exodus all the way to Hebrews: “Keep loving each other like family. Don’t neglect to open up your homes to guests [strangers or foreigners], because by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:1–2)…. (Rohr, n.d.)

As we prepare for the events presented in the Triduum we contemplate, with the help of the Spirit, the betrayals that may have brought suffering in our environment as we resist the response of "Surely not I, Lord”

References

Isaiah, CHAPTER 50 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/50? 

Mason, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved April 1, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-april-1-2026 

Matthew, CHAPTER 26 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/26?14 

Meditation on Matthew 26:14-25. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved April 1, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/04/01/1530334/ 

Psalms, PSALM 69 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/69? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Scapegoating the “Foreigner”. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 1, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/scapegoating-the-foreigner/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Tragedy of the Betrayal. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 1, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/