Today’s Readings

Gospel

1. The Trial Before Caiaphas (26:57–68) Jesus is hauled before the Sanhedrin in a night session. They seek "false testimony," but the witnesses can’t agree. Finally, when adjured by the living God, Jesus confesses His identity: He is the Christ, the Son of God, who will sit at the "right hand of Power." This is labeled blasphemy. The King of Kings is spat upon, struck, and mocked.

2. Peter’s Denial (26:69–75) While the Master is being beaten inside, Peter is "warming himself" in the courtyard. Three times he is accused of being with Jesus; three times he denies it with increasing vehemence, even calling down curses. The rooster crows, the word of Jesus is remembered, and Peter goes out to weep "bitterly."

3. The Official Verdict (27:1–2) At daybreak, the religious leaders make the "official" decision to put Jesus to death. They bind Him and hand Him over to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor.

4. The End of Judas (27:3–10) Seeing Jesus condemned, Judas is seized with remorse (though notably not repentance). He tries to return the 30 pieces of silver, declaring Jesus innocent. The priests dismiss him with a cold "See to it yourself." Judas hangs himself. The priests, hypocritically "scrupulous" about blood money, use the silver to buy the Potter’s Field, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah.

Psalm 145

Psalm 145 is a monumental "alphabet psalm" (an acrostic where each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet). It serves as a grand doxology, transitioning the Psalter toward its thunderous conclusion.

Thought for the Day:

The value of our work in the Church—whether administrative, digital, or liturgical—does not come from our own excellence, but from the objective truth of the message we share. Even when our own strength fails or our resolve wavers like the disciples in the garden, the Lord remains "faithful in all His words and kind in all His works" (Psalm 145:13). He is the "Rock" that stands firm even when the "disciples flee."

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." — Psalm 145:18