Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Tuesday, May 14, 2013 Read – Psalm 69 Psalm 69 is one of those Psalms that the followers of Jesus read through the lens of Jesus’ death and heard in a new way. The Psalm is used in other places in the gospel stories – you may recognize some of those uses. It is Psalm that does speak of suffering and rejection and is therefore useful in telling the story of Jesus. The Psalm, however, bursts forth in what might be an unexpected outburst of vitriol toward the psalmist’s enemies. Beginning with verse 22 the psalmist cries out wishing an abundance of bad things to befall those who have caused his suffering. None of those words are ever used to help think about Jesus – they would simply be inappropriate. Yet, it is from these words that Luke finds justification for understanding the betrayal by Judas as being “according to the scripture.” The verse Peter quotes is verse 25, “May their camp be a desolation; let no one live in their tents.” What the psalmist wished upon his enemies becomes the fate of Judas. It is difficult for most of us to follow the logic of Luke and Peter with respect to this Psalm. Most of the time, these words of imprecation are excused as being the ravings of someone in pain – not as directives that must be fulfilled. In a strange way, however, the words of this Psalm may fit Judas – at least the Judas that Luke tells about. Judas was “over his head” in a way – the one who was fated to betray Jesus. My guess is that Luke did not think in the way that I have just written. I must confess that I have trouble with Luke at this point in his story. I am thankful that the episode of Judas is not crucial for either understanding or following Jesus. I will just have to take Peter and Luke at their word and go from there.