Wednesday of Holy Week

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The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them […] He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let him confront me. See, the Lord GOD is my help; who will prove me wrong? ~ Is 50:4-9a

For your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. ~ Psalm 69:8

“See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.” ~ Psalm 69:33-34

Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.” ~ Mt 26:25

To act and do good in accordance with our values, principles and beliefs is becoming something difficult in our society because we can sometimes find ourselves in situations or with people that will try to silence and humiliate us for not accepting our opinions. There are times where we have felt ashamed in expressing ourselves and defending our beliefs considering that maybe we do not want to be excluded from the group, however, we should never stay quiet nor change who we are or believe because if we do, we lose the opportunity of doing the right thing according to our principles and the gift of being honest with ourselves.

From today’s readings, we can see that regardless of the betrayals and the insults from people who surrounded them, Isaiah, the Psalmist and Jesus continued doing what was right for them. In Isaiah’s case, a prophet with a great faith and trust in God, he did not think twice in keeping his duty as God asked him. Like Isaiah, the Psalmist was defamed for his beliefs, but he did not abandon nor change them, and received God’s protection. Even though Jesus knew who was going to betrayed him and that He is king and God’s son, Jesus permitted Judas’ crime because it was the correct decision to make, which led to the prophecies to come true about the Messiah and His actions for the world’s salvation.

Therefore, every time we are embarrassed about sharing our opinions or acting accordingly to our values, we should remember Isaiah’s strength and Jesus’s determination to maintain their believes and to do the right thing followed by them, it is not going to be an easy task, but we will find strength in God as they did.

Airam Aguasvivas D., '24