THE GOSPEL ACCORDING
TO MATTHEW
CHAPTER
26
1. When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples. 2. You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
(The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 1 to 2)
Oh, Jesus the cross and the moment of Your passion was always in Your mind. Although this would prove to be one of the most painful of trials, it would also mean the biggest and ever greatest act of love from You oh God, to us meaning humanity. However oh God every day in our lives may also be our last day when we leave this world and be reunited with You. Every moment of tribulation may be our processing before the Roman Authorities, in order to inquire if we are still believers. Every long period of testing, pain and anguish may be similar in words to the enacting of Your passion, although all our sufferings can never match Your passion.
Presently we may be facing one of the greatest crisis of our lives, but we are not alone. Our God and Father is with us. He has already been there, betrayed and accused of accusations that He did not commit, and even sentenced to a death that he surely did not merit as the Son of God. However for our own good and because You love us so much You chose the nails and the cross as the offering altar in order to atone for our sins. This is the meaning of the word 'Love'.
3. Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4. and they conspired to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5. But they said, "Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people."
(The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 3 to 5)
Oh God as much as You are working all the time in our lives, the forces of evil also never stop working in their never ending struggle to cause us to sin and win over our souls in order to perish in hell forever. Throughout the planning process, the chief priests and elders took into consideration thus attempting to cover all angles in order not to cause unnecessary disruption or disturbance in the people which could stimulate the violence of the Roman Empire to which they were subjects. When we carry out our plans in a better sense, meaning with a good intention, we are also to consider all the factors, especially if our plans can have either positive or negative effects on the life of others involved directly or indirectly in our plans.
6. Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. 8. But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, "Why this waste? 9. For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor."10. But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me.
(The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 6 to 10)
Oh, Jesus, our values are not Your values. Indeed, we both view the world and what takes place in it from a different perspective. One might consider as being a great waste a successful person who decides to resign in order to embrace holy orders by living as a nun or a priest! Although it seems to be a pity that the life of a celebrity has come to an end, a better life has just started for that person who has dedicated one's life in service to You. Amen.
11. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.
(The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 11)
Oh, Jesus, it would be a pity if those living in poverty will do so forever. It's a greater pity if among material poverty we are also spiritually famished, for the loss would be greater Amen.
12. By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. 13. Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her."
(The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 12 to 13)
There are many people who are many people who have been renown for their acts of bravery, however, there are also those such as maybe you and I who are not as popular, according to the standards of the world, however, You oh Jesus appreciates even the smallest act of kindness. I thank You for appreciating all we do Amen.
14. Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, "What will you give me if I betray him to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 14 to 16)
Among the group of twelve Apostles, there was a weak link, an open door from which the devil could enter. This was Judas Iscariot. When we are not faithful in our relationship with You oh Jesus, that apostles name can easily change to Vince. When leisure time takes the place of pray or work time this is also a betrayal, that we must be accountable for when the time comes.
17. On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 17)
Today You are asking us where and when You can spend some time with us in fellowship. Jesus wants to book an appointment with us. Is our agenda full? Do we have a slot in which we can meet with Him and spend the time to grow together? We might have plans where to spend easter Sunday this year, but have we made time to spend with Jesus who is the main focus of the celebrations. Do we prefer to spend time with the understudy of the play instead of with the celebrity, the main actor? If we do not have time for You, my God and Father but have time reserved for other situations or appointments it is time to evaluate our choices or preferences and book a session with You oh Jesus!
18. He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples." 19. So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and they prepared the Passover meal.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 18 to 19)
Oh, Jesus of the many things that give You pleasure, one of the most important is our obedience to Your Will and to Your Word. When we take You at Your word as in the case of all parents You experience great pleasure, for You always aimed at obeying the will of the Father Amen.
20. When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; 21 and while they were eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me." 22. And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, "Surely not I, Lord?"
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 20 to 22)
Oh God during intimate moments of fellowship You drop the bombshell. You reveal to us secrets or revelations that are not always to our liking as in the case of the Apostles. You make us aware of our true self and of our weaknesses and also the relative consequences if we do not change our ways. We can only imagine people such as Judas Iscariot who had previously sold You to Your enemies. We can only think or imagine what he was experiencing on being aware of what he had done, however, his guilt was still not deep enough to remedy the situation by admitting his guilt. Even though in this case it was the unveiling of God's plan for our salvation, in similar situations it is best to follow the truth and sincerity which is the best policy and not the ways of the world.
23. He answered, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 23)
Oh, Jesus, one of those who were of Your inner circles was persuaded to betray You, oh dear Father. I pray for all of us because we are all prone to go against Your will and do actions that are not according to Your will, even though we may be familiar with Your teachings and proclaim that we love You. Amen
24. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born." 25. Judas, who betrayed him, said, "Surely not I Rabbi?"He replied, "You have said so".
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 24 to 25)
Oh God even before it happened You are already showing us the negative consequences that Judas would experience as a penalty for having betrayed You. Even though this was part of the script leading to the unfolding of Your plan for our Salvation betrayal will always be negative in itself. What is astounding is that Judas still questioned the issue of who was to betray You even though he was aware of what he had done! Oh God, I pray that we accept the responsibility for our sins and never deny them, for denying them is as worse as committing them and both are not approved by You. For if we keep on denying our sins we can never seek forgiveness.
3. Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4. and they conspired to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5. But they said, "Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people."
(The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 3 to 5)
Oh God as much as You are working all the time in our lives, the forces of evil also never stop working in their never ending struggle to cause us to sin and win over our souls in order to perish in hell forever. Throughout the planning process, the chief priests and elders took into consideration thus attempting to cover all angles in order not to cause unnecessary disruption or disturbance in the people which could stimulate the violence of the Roman Empire to which they were subjects. When we carry out our plans in a better sense, meaning with a good intention, we are also to consider all the factors, especially if our plans can have either positive or negative effects on the life of others involved directly or indirectly in our plans.
6. Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. 8. But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, "Why this waste? 9. For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor."10. But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me.
(The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 6 to 10)
Oh, Jesus, our values are not Your values. Indeed, we both view the world and what takes place in it from a different perspective. One might consider as being a great waste a successful person who decides to resign in order to embrace holy orders by living as a nun or a priest! Although it seems to be a pity that the life of a celebrity has come to an end, a better life has just started for that person who has dedicated one's life in service to You. Amen.
11. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.
(The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 11)
Oh, Jesus, it would be a pity if those living in poverty will do so forever. It's a greater pity if among material poverty we are also spiritually famished, for the loss would be greater Amen.
12. By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. 13. Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her."
(The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 12 to 13)
There are many people who are many people who have been renown for their acts of bravery, however, there are also those such as maybe you and I who are not as popular, according to the standards of the world, however, You oh Jesus appreciates even the smallest act of kindness. I thank You for appreciating all we do Amen.
14. Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, "What will you give me if I betray him to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 14 to 16)
Among the group of twelve Apostles, there was a weak link, an open door from which the devil could enter. This was Judas Iscariot. When we are not faithful in our relationship with You oh Jesus, that apostles name can easily change to Vince. When leisure time takes the place of pray or work time this is also a betrayal, that we must be accountable for when the time comes.
17. On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 17)
Today You are asking us where and when You can spend some time with us in fellowship. Jesus wants to book an appointment with us. Is our agenda full? Do we have a slot in which we can meet with Him and spend the time to grow together? We might have plans where to spend easter Sunday this year, but have we made time to spend with Jesus who is the main focus of the celebrations. Do we prefer to spend time with the understudy of the play instead of with the celebrity, the main actor? If we do not have time for You, my God and Father but have time reserved for other situations or appointments it is time to evaluate our choices or preferences and book a session with You oh Jesus!
18. He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples." 19. So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and they prepared the Passover meal.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 18 to 19)
Oh, Jesus of the many things that give You pleasure, one of the most important is our obedience to Your Will and to Your Word. When we take You at Your word as in the case of all parents You experience great pleasure, for You always aimed at obeying the will of the Father Amen.
20. When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; 21 and while they were eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me." 22. And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, "Surely not I, Lord?"
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 20 to 22)
Oh God during intimate moments of fellowship You drop the bombshell. You reveal to us secrets or revelations that are not always to our liking as in the case of the Apostles. You make us aware of our true self and of our weaknesses and also the relative consequences if we do not change our ways. We can only imagine people such as Judas Iscariot who had previously sold You to Your enemies. We can only think or imagine what he was experiencing on being aware of what he had done, however, his guilt was still not deep enough to remedy the situation by admitting his guilt. Even though in this case it was the unveiling of God's plan for our salvation, in similar situations it is best to follow the truth and sincerity which is the best policy and not the ways of the world.
23. He answered, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 23)
Oh, Jesus, one of those who were of Your inner circles was persuaded to betray You, oh dear Father. I pray for all of us because we are all prone to go against Your will and do actions that are not according to Your will, even though we may be familiar with Your teachings and proclaim that we love You. Amen
24. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born." 25. Judas, who betrayed him, said, "Surely not I Rabbi?"He replied, "You have said so".
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 24 to 25)
Oh God even before it happened You are already showing us the negative consequences that Judas would experience as a penalty for having betrayed You. Even though this was part of the script leading to the unfolding of Your plan for our Salvation betrayal will always be negative in itself. What is astounding is that Judas still questioned the issue of who was to betray You even though he was aware of what he had done! Oh God, I pray that we accept the responsibility for our sins and never deny them, for denying them is as worse as committing them and both are not approved by You. For if we keep on denying our sins we can never seek forgiveness.
26. While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body,"27. Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; 28. for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." 30. When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 26 to 30)
Oh, Jesus up to the very end of Your life on earth You never stopped giving us of Your self. You gave us all that You had, the very skin on Your body and the very drops of blood in Your veins. This was so important for our salvation that You wanted us to keep on commemorating this grand event in our lives as Roman Catholics and Christians.
31. Then Jesus said to them, "You will all become deserters because of me this night for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 31)
Oh, Jesus, it is true that if the shepherd is stricken we will all be scattered, however, we have the best Shepherd that is yourself therefore, we will never be scattered, the only reason that can cause us to be scattered is if we do not keep on following Your ways. I pray though that you keep on sending us Shepherds in the persons of Bishops who will keep on leading us in Your ways Amen.
32. But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee."
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 32)
Oh, Jesus when addressing Your apostles even though you kept on reminding them of what was to happen which in itself they may have considered as being a negative event, You also gave them the positive news that involved not only Your death but even Your resurrection and that You would, later on, meet with them at Galilee. Oh, Jesus, I pray that I become more like You a positive person, who even in the most negative of situations, succeeds to find the positive aspects. Amen.
33. Peter said to him, "Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you." 34. Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." 35. Peter said to him, "Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you."And so said all the disciples.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 33 to 35)
Oh God my Father even though I have often uttered brave declarations and promises to You that I will never sin in a particular way, and that I really love You, I have often as in the case of Peter gone against my word. Oh God, my spirit sincerely wishes to obey Your will, but my flesh and carnal desires often get the better of me and I end up sinning in the same way I had promised not to. I pray that You give me strength to overcome my sinful self especially during moments of temptation which are often when am meditating on Your Gospel.
36. Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray".
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 36)
Oh God and Your Son Jesus, You do not ask of us to do things that are out of this world. During such critical moments, You asked them to sit and wait while You went to seek consolation and empowerment in prayer.While You pray on our behalf You tell us to stay put and wait to be delivered for You are at work in our situation carrying out the bulk of the work. Amen.
37. He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. 38. Then he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me." 39. And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want."
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 37 to 39)
Oh, Jesus, God my Father, the passion that You were going to undertake on my behalf, and that of the world was so cruel that even on picturing all the pain and brutality that You were going to experience was enough to make You feel highly stressed and anxious, However as was the case throughout all Your life on earth, You always sought to obey the will of God the Father and not that of Your own. Oh God my Father that, we also imitate You in this blind obedience and always aim at seeking Your will in all that we do and say Amen.
40. Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41. Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 40 to 41)
Indeed oh God my Father and his Son Jesus the spirit wishes to follow You and Your messages, but the flesh causes me many troubles in doing so. At every moment of my life it opposes and grumbles to the wishes of the spirit and at times is even stronger. I pray oh Jesus, that You renew my Spirit in the power of Your Holy Spirit so that I will be strong enough to overcome my feelings and carnal desires Amen. I pray that You will give me a docile spirit that does not know stress, anxiety or anger, that at times gets the better of me. Give me words of empathy and consolation instead of criticism and negativity Amen.
42. Again he went away for the second time and prayed,"My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done."
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 42)
Oh Jesus Son of the Living God and my Father, Your prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is also my prayer if my situation cannot change please help me to accept it as being Your will. If You do not want to take my soul to be reunited with You in heaven please give me the strength to endure all the onslaughts that I am receiving especially from my own family Amen. Each passing day I realize that I have nobody but You. Amen.
43. Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44. So leaving them again he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 43 to 44)
For those of us who have issues regarding what to pray and when to pray, Jesus gives us a typical example. In his deepest moments of trials and stress, He did not revert to any fancy prayers but kept on repeating the same request. Therefore, as humans, we are also never to become tired of repeating the same prayer over and over again such as Rosary or even a request for change ir healing among others. God is neither deaf to our prayers nor does he become rebellious or impatient to hearing the same old prayer. During the forty years of wandering in the desert You oh God never refused the many requests and prayers of Your people, therefore, You will surely never refuse ours. Amen.
45. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand."
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 45 to 46)
Oh, Jesus, we may have been asleep for a very long time. Our sleep time may not be physical but spiritual. We have been wasting valuable time in keeping silent about our faith in You as Roman Catholics while others such as Protestants and Jehovah witnesses have become hoarse in proclaiming Your name especially the protestants. During such times of misleading values and ideologies, it is the perfect time to start raising our voices and proclaiming Your name.
47. While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords an clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 47)
Oh, Jesus what a sorrowful hour had come upon You, the evil forces of Satan embodied in the persons of the crowd and the betrayer was ready to make their move. However nothing is beyond Your control for You had already foretold the Apostles that this hour would arrive. I thank You oh Jesus for such moments of crisis, for even though they appear to be negative You use each event in our lives for our good if not material welfare You use it for our spiritual welfare. Thank You for being always there for us even during such moments of trial and tribulation Amen.
48. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him."
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 48)
Oh God once we give up our souls to sinful acts we lose our human dignity. As found in verse 48 Judas is no longer referred to by name but by means of the title of the 'betrayer'. Oh Jesus Son of God, may we always be worthy to be considered as being Your sons and daughters Amen.
49. At once he came up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi! and kissed him. 50. "Friend, do what you are here to do." Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 49 to 50)
Oh, Jesus indeed there is nobody who is like You. Even though Judas came in order to betray You into the hands of such merciless people, You still addressed him as being Your friend. I thank You for loving us so much. Oh, Jesus, You were aware that Judas was acting the role assigned to him according to the plan of our salvation and that he had been born for that very hour which would lead to our salvation.
51. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52. Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54. But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?"
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 51 to 54)
Oh Jesus and God my Father how just are Your ways. Even though You appeared to be the innocent victim of the situation in truth You were totally in control. If You wanted at any point You could have turned the situation in Your favour and miraculously put and end to the whole affair and rise up there and then to heaven, however this was not the will of the Father, and because You remained faithful and obedient to His will that You permitted the passion to take place in order to claim a victorious victory over the forces of evil and achieve our salvation.
Oh , Jesus as You always sought to obey the will of Your Father, I pray that You also engrave in my heart and mind the will to always obey You and Your will even though, I may not understand the reasons why certain situations are taking place in my life. I pray that You help me to always remember that You are in control of all the situations that happen to me and everybody else and that when the proper time arrives You will deliver us out of all our situations and crisis. Amen.
55. At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 55 to 56)
Oh, Jesus my Father I understand what you must have felt in this situation, for many times I had share intimate knowledge about myself to my superiors when I was working as social worker, but although it was a cry for help it was used against me and I was booted out of he agency for good. Those people who could have helped me served as my betrayers, however even in such circumstances You did not stab me in the back but gave me the much needed support and helped me in finding another job. Amen
57. Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 57)
Oh Jesus the elders and the high priests arrested to You and took You to the house of Caiphas, how I also wish to welcome You in my house forever for a good purpose and not for a bad purpose as in the case of the elders and Pharisees. Amen.
58. But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 58)
Oh Jesus Son of God my Father, what type of followers are we, those who follow you from a distance or are we those of Your inner circles. This is a question that we are to ask ourselves. If we are of Your inner circles we then need to continue to place our trust in You and empower others to follow in our ways, however, if we are distant followers we need to stop and in a spirit of prayer and meditation on Your Bible, pray for discernment in order for us to be shown which blockages such as fear, distrust are keeping us at a distance from You my God and Father Amen.
59. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, 60. but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61. and said, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days,"
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 59 to 61)
Oh Jesus Son of God and my Father, even when it came to find a false accusation by which to condemn You your enemies found difficulty, because the truth was not in them, They were in control of the forces of evil and therefore they did not want to see or accept or believe in the truth even though in their hearts they knew that they were condemning an innocent person. At times oh Jesus we may also look for reasons to believe in You from only a worldly rationalistic perspective and end up finding nothing to satisfy our logic, others may believe because that is what they were taught to believe and therefore have no solid foundations to their faith while others have all the reason to believe for they have experienced You in their lives and is an active presence. Amen.
62. The high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?" 63. But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, "I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God."
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 62 to 63)
OH God my Father if You wanted You could have given a true answer and shut up Your accusers but before You stood the promise that You had made to Your Father to redeem us. Before You stood the long list of my sins and your sins and those of the rest of the world which persuaded You to hold Your silence, however when forced to speak under an oath You could not but continue to declare the truth that You are the Son of God incarnate in the human presence of the Son of Man in the person of Jesus..
64. Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven."
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 64)
Oh Jesus my God and Father even though You said the truth, this was the cherry on the cake, the card in the hands of the High Priest to use against You, but funnily, enough all the time during the drama of our lives You are in control. At that moment, You pressed the 'continue' button so that the drama of Your passion could continue because You really and truly love us! Oh what a great love, that the world can never understand!
65. Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66. What is your verdict?" They answered, "He deserves death." 67. Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, 68. saying, "Prophesy to us, Messiah! Who is it that struck you?"
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 65 to 68)
Oh Jesus Son of the only Living God and my Father, the person who judged You as having blasphemed did the same thing himself. When tearing his sacred robes, he violated the will of God, that prohibited the High Priest from doing such a thing to the sacred clothing given to him particularly as according to Your will. For more details in relation to this offence please click on the following link:-
The tearing of sacred robes
69. Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean. 70. But he denied it before all of them, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about." 71. When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." 72. Again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man." 73. After a while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you." 74. Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, "I do not know the man! At that moment the cock crowed. 75. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 69 to 75)
Oh Jesus Son of God, I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer. I pray that as one of Your followers I will be never a bystander but a close follower or disciple, one of the persons who is in Your intimate circles. I pray that when put to the test, by means of the circumstances by which You wish to test me I will prove to be faithful and reliable. Amen.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 26 to 30)
Oh, Jesus up to the very end of Your life on earth You never stopped giving us of Your self. You gave us all that You had, the very skin on Your body and the very drops of blood in Your veins. This was so important for our salvation that You wanted us to keep on commemorating this grand event in our lives as Roman Catholics and Christians.
31. Then Jesus said to them, "You will all become deserters because of me this night for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 31)
Oh, Jesus, it is true that if the shepherd is stricken we will all be scattered, however, we have the best Shepherd that is yourself therefore, we will never be scattered, the only reason that can cause us to be scattered is if we do not keep on following Your ways. I pray though that you keep on sending us Shepherds in the persons of Bishops who will keep on leading us in Your ways Amen.
32. But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee."
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 32)
Oh, Jesus when addressing Your apostles even though you kept on reminding them of what was to happen which in itself they may have considered as being a negative event, You also gave them the positive news that involved not only Your death but even Your resurrection and that You would, later on, meet with them at Galilee. Oh, Jesus, I pray that I become more like You a positive person, who even in the most negative of situations, succeeds to find the positive aspects. Amen.
33. Peter said to him, "Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you." 34. Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." 35. Peter said to him, "Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you."And so said all the disciples.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 33 to 35)
Oh God my Father even though I have often uttered brave declarations and promises to You that I will never sin in a particular way, and that I really love You, I have often as in the case of Peter gone against my word. Oh God, my spirit sincerely wishes to obey Your will, but my flesh and carnal desires often get the better of me and I end up sinning in the same way I had promised not to. I pray that You give me strength to overcome my sinful self especially during moments of temptation which are often when am meditating on Your Gospel.
36. Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray".
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 36)
Oh God and Your Son Jesus, You do not ask of us to do things that are out of this world. During such critical moments, You asked them to sit and wait while You went to seek consolation and empowerment in prayer.While You pray on our behalf You tell us to stay put and wait to be delivered for You are at work in our situation carrying out the bulk of the work. Amen.
37. He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. 38. Then he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me." 39. And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want."
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 37 to 39)
Oh, Jesus, God my Father, the passion that You were going to undertake on my behalf, and that of the world was so cruel that even on picturing all the pain and brutality that You were going to experience was enough to make You feel highly stressed and anxious, However as was the case throughout all Your life on earth, You always sought to obey the will of God the Father and not that of Your own. Oh God my Father that, we also imitate You in this blind obedience and always aim at seeking Your will in all that we do and say Amen.
40. Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41. Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 40 to 41)
Indeed oh God my Father and his Son Jesus the spirit wishes to follow You and Your messages, but the flesh causes me many troubles in doing so. At every moment of my life it opposes and grumbles to the wishes of the spirit and at times is even stronger. I pray oh Jesus, that You renew my Spirit in the power of Your Holy Spirit so that I will be strong enough to overcome my feelings and carnal desires Amen. I pray that You will give me a docile spirit that does not know stress, anxiety or anger, that at times gets the better of me. Give me words of empathy and consolation instead of criticism and negativity Amen.
42. Again he went away for the second time and prayed,"My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done."
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 42)
Oh Jesus Son of the Living God and my Father, Your prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is also my prayer if my situation cannot change please help me to accept it as being Your will. If You do not want to take my soul to be reunited with You in heaven please give me the strength to endure all the onslaughts that I am receiving especially from my own family Amen. Each passing day I realize that I have nobody but You. Amen.
43. Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44. So leaving them again he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 43 to 44)
For those of us who have issues regarding what to pray and when to pray, Jesus gives us a typical example. In his deepest moments of trials and stress, He did not revert to any fancy prayers but kept on repeating the same request. Therefore, as humans, we are also never to become tired of repeating the same prayer over and over again such as Rosary or even a request for change ir healing among others. God is neither deaf to our prayers nor does he become rebellious or impatient to hearing the same old prayer. During the forty years of wandering in the desert You oh God never refused the many requests and prayers of Your people, therefore, You will surely never refuse ours. Amen.
45. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand."
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 45 to 46)
Oh, Jesus, we may have been asleep for a very long time. Our sleep time may not be physical but spiritual. We have been wasting valuable time in keeping silent about our faith in You as Roman Catholics while others such as Protestants and Jehovah witnesses have become hoarse in proclaiming Your name especially the protestants. During such times of misleading values and ideologies, it is the perfect time to start raising our voices and proclaiming Your name.
47. While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords an clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 47)
Oh, Jesus what a sorrowful hour had come upon You, the evil forces of Satan embodied in the persons of the crowd and the betrayer was ready to make their move. However nothing is beyond Your control for You had already foretold the Apostles that this hour would arrive. I thank You oh Jesus for such moments of crisis, for even though they appear to be negative You use each event in our lives for our good if not material welfare You use it for our spiritual welfare. Thank You for being always there for us even during such moments of trial and tribulation Amen.
48. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him."
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 48)
Oh God once we give up our souls to sinful acts we lose our human dignity. As found in verse 48 Judas is no longer referred to by name but by means of the title of the 'betrayer'. Oh Jesus Son of God, may we always be worthy to be considered as being Your sons and daughters Amen.
49. At once he came up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi! and kissed him. 50. "Friend, do what you are here to do." Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 49 to 50)
Oh, Jesus indeed there is nobody who is like You. Even though Judas came in order to betray You into the hands of such merciless people, You still addressed him as being Your friend. I thank You for loving us so much. Oh, Jesus, You were aware that Judas was acting the role assigned to him according to the plan of our salvation and that he had been born for that very hour which would lead to our salvation.
51. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52. Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54. But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?"
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 51 to 54)
Oh Jesus and God my Father how just are Your ways. Even though You appeared to be the innocent victim of the situation in truth You were totally in control. If You wanted at any point You could have turned the situation in Your favour and miraculously put and end to the whole affair and rise up there and then to heaven, however this was not the will of the Father, and because You remained faithful and obedient to His will that You permitted the passion to take place in order to claim a victorious victory over the forces of evil and achieve our salvation.
Oh , Jesus as You always sought to obey the will of Your Father, I pray that You also engrave in my heart and mind the will to always obey You and Your will even though, I may not understand the reasons why certain situations are taking place in my life. I pray that You help me to always remember that You are in control of all the situations that happen to me and everybody else and that when the proper time arrives You will deliver us out of all our situations and crisis. Amen.
55. At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 55 to 56)
Oh, Jesus my Father I understand what you must have felt in this situation, for many times I had share intimate knowledge about myself to my superiors when I was working as social worker, but although it was a cry for help it was used against me and I was booted out of he agency for good. Those people who could have helped me served as my betrayers, however even in such circumstances You did not stab me in the back but gave me the much needed support and helped me in finding another job. Amen
57. Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 57)
Oh Jesus the elders and the high priests arrested to You and took You to the house of Caiphas, how I also wish to welcome You in my house forever for a good purpose and not for a bad purpose as in the case of the elders and Pharisees. Amen.
58. But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 58)
Oh Jesus Son of God my Father, what type of followers are we, those who follow you from a distance or are we those of Your inner circles. This is a question that we are to ask ourselves. If we are of Your inner circles we then need to continue to place our trust in You and empower others to follow in our ways, however, if we are distant followers we need to stop and in a spirit of prayer and meditation on Your Bible, pray for discernment in order for us to be shown which blockages such as fear, distrust are keeping us at a distance from You my God and Father Amen.
59. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, 60. but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61. and said, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days,"
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 59 to 61)
Oh Jesus Son of God and my Father, even when it came to find a false accusation by which to condemn You your enemies found difficulty, because the truth was not in them, They were in control of the forces of evil and therefore they did not want to see or accept or believe in the truth even though in their hearts they knew that they were condemning an innocent person. At times oh Jesus we may also look for reasons to believe in You from only a worldly rationalistic perspective and end up finding nothing to satisfy our logic, others may believe because that is what they were taught to believe and therefore have no solid foundations to their faith while others have all the reason to believe for they have experienced You in their lives and is an active presence. Amen.
62. The high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?" 63. But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, "I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God."
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 62 to 63)
OH God my Father if You wanted You could have given a true answer and shut up Your accusers but before You stood the promise that You had made to Your Father to redeem us. Before You stood the long list of my sins and your sins and those of the rest of the world which persuaded You to hold Your silence, however when forced to speak under an oath You could not but continue to declare the truth that You are the Son of God incarnate in the human presence of the Son of Man in the person of Jesus..
64. Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven."
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verse 64)
Oh Jesus my God and Father even though You said the truth, this was the cherry on the cake, the card in the hands of the High Priest to use against You, but funnily, enough all the time during the drama of our lives You are in control. At that moment, You pressed the 'continue' button so that the drama of Your passion could continue because You really and truly love us! Oh what a great love, that the world can never understand!
65. Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66. What is your verdict?" They answered, "He deserves death." 67. Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, 68. saying, "Prophesy to us, Messiah! Who is it that struck you?"
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 65 to 68)
Oh Jesus Son of the only Living God and my Father, the person who judged You as having blasphemed did the same thing himself. When tearing his sacred robes, he violated the will of God, that prohibited the High Priest from doing such a thing to the sacred clothing given to him particularly as according to Your will. For more details in relation to this offence please click on the following link:-
The tearing of sacred robes
69. Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean. 70. But he denied it before all of them, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about." 71. When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." 72. Again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man." 73. After a while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you." 74. Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, "I do not know the man! At that moment the cock crowed. 75. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.
(Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26 verses 69 to 75)
Oh Jesus Son of God, I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer. I pray that as one of Your followers I will be never a bystander but a close follower or disciple, one of the persons who is in Your intimate circles. I pray that when put to the test, by means of the circumstances by which You wish to test me I will prove to be faithful and reliable. Amen.
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