
Morning Evening
Psalm 55:13-14: “For had it been an adversary who taunted me, then I could have borne it; or had it been an enemy who vaunted himself against me, then I could have hidden from him. But it was you, a man after my own heart, my companion, my own familiar friend.”
It is Holy Wednesday – sometimes called “Spy Wednesday” - because on this day we remember the betrayal by Judas who had made a deal to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver and was now acting as a clandestine spy among the disciples. Our Psalmist today speaks to themes of betrayal – the pain it causes when someone we trust has turned against us and hurt us unexpectedly.
Many people have been expressing a sense of betrayal during this pandemic. We may feel betrayed by those in authority who are meant to protect and help us, we may feel betrayed by the media, we may feel betrayed by some in our community - those who failed to take steps to isolate or who have hoarded resources, or we may feel betrayed by our own bodies or minds during this challenging time, among others. Betrayal is a particularly acute pain because it comes as a shock so unexpectedly ... and our Lord is well acquainted with this pain.
So I encourage you – if you are feeling betrayed – to cast your feelings, hurt, and even anger upon God in prayer, just as the Psalmist did. Betrayal is a human experience and Jesus walks with us in it, even as we walk in his footsteps this week. Scripture invites us to bring “all our cares” and all we feel and experience directly to God in prayer. God will not only bear it with us, but will grant us grace, insight, and comfort. As the Psalmist wrote, “But I will call upon God, and the Lord will deliver me.”
Be well. This too shall pass. In the meantime, we pray.
In Christ,
~Rebecca+