READINGS ON THE PASSION (My Lenten Prayerbook, New York, Paulist Press, 1960)TREASON OF JUDASSatan entered into Judas, who was surnamed Iscariot, 1 of the 12. He went and discoursed with the chiefpriests and magistrates how he might betray him to them. He said to them: What will you give me, and I willdeliver him to you. They were glad, and agreed to give him 30 pieces of silver. He promised. From henceforthhe sought opportunity to betray him, in the absence of the multitude.The fall of Judas was first indicated by his contempt for the penitent Magdalen. He despised her act of love inanointing the feet of Jesus with costly spices. Why is this waste? he protested. Why did she not give the priceof the ointment to me for the use of the poor; and this he said "because he was a thief." It is therefore certainthat he had already gravely transgressed by stealing the offerings of his Master's benefactors, committed tohim for the daily wants of the little company and for distribution to the poor.So it has come to this; in the work of our salvation Jesus must mourn over an apostle who stole money fromhim and his brother apostles, then robbed the poor; and finally traded away his Master's very life for money.How strange that love of money should gain mastery in the household of Christ who was without scrip orpurse, roof or home, and a divine model of disinterestedness; and as he practised, so he constantly preached,contempt for all worldly possessions. It was after bargaining with the chief priests that Judas came and tookhis usual place at his Master's table. In this he was playing the part of a spy in order the more effectually toplay the part of a traitor.Imagine, if you can, the sorrow of Christ at all this, for he knew it all perfectly well; that 1 of his apostleswould betray him to his enemies, and for money; would not wait to be tempted by them, but would take thefirst step himself and go of his own accord to bargain for his price; and then would carefully arrange the t...