Isaiah 50:4-9 / Matthew 26:14-25
As much as clarity of expression is helpful and even necessary in order to know what is exactly the meaning of the terms used, there is also a tendency to sanitize certain words or terms because it is too glaring or too blunt.
So another term for stealing is shoplifting; adultery is also called having an affair; abortion is called the termination of pregnancy.
For the sake of being polite or to be "politically correct", we sanitize that "crude" sounding words or terms and use other alternatives.
In the gospel, Judas asked the chief priests, "What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?" He did not use the word "betray" but the meaning is the same as "hand him over".
Jesus knew who was going to betray Him and He used the word as clearly as it could be understood.
When the disciples heard it, they were distressed and one by one started to ask Him "Not I, Lord, surely?"
When Judas asked Jesus, "Not I, Rabbi, surely?" Jesus replied, "They are your own words."
As we prepare for the Easter Triduum, let us be honest with ourselves with regards to our failings and sinfulness.
We need to be humble and truly acknowledge our sinfulness and ask for forgiveness. Let us not betray ourselves into the hands of evil.