Holy Wednesday

"Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me."

Matthew 26:21

Jesus experienced rejection throughout his ministry. From his first public manifestation at Nazareth, the people wanted to throw him over a cliff; those who tie up burdens hard to bear and do not lift a finger to help were indignant when he admonished their hardness of heart; there were many among the priests who profited from revenue during the Pax Romana and were eager to suppress any anti-imperialism. But none of these succeeded in seizing Jesus; he passed through their midst and went away or entered the city in secret, rather unsophisticated evasions, but they show that they could not lay a hand on Jesus unless he allowed it, and he only allowed it when one of his own betrayed him.

Jesus was invulnerable to the power of the authorities, but not that of his friends; it was by his choice that those he loved had the opportunities to betray and desert him. The vulnerability of Jesus did not end when the helpless infant grew up, but continued as he experienced everything that is in man, including betrayal of trust, the greatest fear and pain in relationship. Jesus foretold betrayal by one, but also that his kenosis was for many for the forgiveness of sins, because he bore all sins and offenses. Let us stand with our mother and look on him whom they have pierced with compunction.

Lament of the Mother of God (Tavener)

Woe is me, my Child!
I see Thee, dearest and beloved Child,
hanging upon the cross,
and my heart is bitterly wounded.
But in Thy love, speak some word to Thy handmaiden.

Woe is me, my Child!
I wish to take my son down from the wood
and to hold Him in my arms
as once I held Him when He was a little child;
But alas, there is no-one to give Him to me.

Woe is me, my Child!
I see Thee bruised and wounded,
without glory, stripped upon the cross.
O my Child, and my heart burns.

Woe is me, my Child!
In my arms, I hold Thee as a corpse,
O loving Lord, who has brought the dead back to life;
Grievously is my heart wounded,
and I long to die with Thee,
for I cannot bear to look upon Thee lifeless and without breath.

Woe is me, my Child!
I reflect, O Master: how never again shall I hear Thy voice.
Never again shall Thy handmaiden see the beauty of Thy face
as in the past, for Thou, my Son,
hast sunk down before mine eyes.

Woe is me, my child!
Where dost thou go, my Child?
Why dost thou run so swiftly?
Is there another wedding in Cana,
and are thou hastening there to turn the water into wine?
Shall I go with thee, my child,
or shall I wait for thee?
Speak some word to me, O Word;
Do not pass me by in silence.
Thou hast preserved my virginity,
and thou art my Son and God.

Woe is me, my child!
Release me from agony
and take me with Thee, O my Son and God.
Let me also descend with Thee, O Master, into Hell.
Leave me not to live alone,
for I cannot bear to look upon Thee, my sweet Light.

Woe is me, my child!
Dost thou change my grief to gladness by Thy Resurrection?

Rise, O God, and judge the Earth!
Rise, O God, and judge the Earth!

Woe is me, my Child.