Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection April 01, 2026
Wednesday – Holy Week
01st April 2026 (Wednesday)
Psalter: Week 2
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a
The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backwards. I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord God helps me; who will declare me guilty?
Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34 (R. 14c, b)
R/. In your great mercy, answer me, O Lord, for a time of your favour.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ
R/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ
V/. Hail to you, our King; you alone are compassionate with our faults.
R/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ
Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25
At that time: One of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where would you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Wednesday – Holy Week
Main Point: When we stand up for God and His work, evil forces will get stronger against us. A lot of the time, all the bad forces will work together to fight the good force.
1. The scene is getting ready quickly to kill Jesus. Judas Iscariot works with the high priests. He makes a bargain with them. Thirty pieces of silver for handing Jesus up to them. How funny that he wants to murder the person who gave him life! How ungrateful it is to hurt someone who has only done positive things for you! It is really terrible that a pupil who must always look for ways to protect his teacher is now looking for a way to murder him.
2. But Jesus’ way of dealing with him and talking to him doesn’t alter. He recognized the traitor. He understood what he was going to do and why. But he doesn’t say anything or respond. He doesn’t tell on him. He doesn’t betray him in front of other people. The pupil may falter, however the master remains infallible.
3. The image of the suffering servant of Yahweh in the first reading matches Jesus well. He is not disobedient. He did not go back. He doesn’t cover his face to avoid shame. He is ready to take on and deal with anything. But it’s not because they can’t do anything. He is neither sad or angry. He is calm.
4. He was able to be calm and strong because he completely gave himself over to God. He has the same level of confidence and faith as the suffering servant. “But the Lord God helps me.” He who clears my name is close by.
5. I won’t be embarrassed. Who will fight me? Who is my enemy? Who will say I’m guilty? “Look, all of them will wear out like a garment.”
My Practice: When we have troubles and pain, how do we feel and what do we do? How do we treat and act toward those that hurt us? When we are put to the test, do we still trust God and give ourselves to him?
