Tonight, we step into the shadows of betrayal. Holy Wednesday draws us into the story of Judas, a man whose name has become synonymous with treachery. For thirty pieces of silver, he bargains with the chief priests, setting in motion the events that will lead to the arrest of Jesus.

This moment is both tragic and haunting. Judas, one of the Twelve—someone who walked with Jesus, dined with Him, witnessed His miracles—chooses the path of betrayal. The gleam of silver becomes heavier than the weight of loyalty, and the lure of power and self-interest silences the call to faithfulness.

Yet, as we consider Judas’ actions, we are not mere spectators to history. Holy Wednesday whispers an uncomfortable truth: betrayal is not so far from any of us. How often do we trade the eternal for the fleeting, God’s call for the world’s promises?

And yet, even here, God’s grace is not absent. The betrayal of one man becomes the doorway to salvation for all. In the darkness of this night, a glimmer of hope remains. What Judas intended for harm, God transforms into the ultimate act of love and redemption.

So tonight, we do not linger only in judgment or despair. Instead, we sit with the tension of this holy story—the tension of sin and grace, of human frailty and divine mercy. As the silver coins clink in the background, may we examine our own hearts and seek the strength to choose the path of faithfulness, even when it is costly.