Tuesday of Holy Week - April 12, 2022

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Isaiah 49:1-6               John 13:21-33, 36-38

In today’s Gospel, John shares his accounts of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus and Jesus’ declaration that Peter will ultimately deny him. Regardless of how many times I read or hear these passages, I am always taken aback by the immense sadness that I feel.  While our familiarity with the story allows us to know that Jesus’ resurrection is just days away, my heart always feels heavy when considering Judas and Peter. I have typically been content to accept this as part of the general somberness that permeates Holy Week, but today’s reading challenged me to explore these feelings. 

Imagine first the sadness Jesus must have felt at Judas’ absence of faith. John references Jesus’ distress at Judas’ betrayal; however, his distress lies not in any sort of personal affront or feeling of being wronged by Judas. Instead, Jesus’ distress lies wholly in his concern over the spiritual condition of Judas, in his deep desire for Judas to believe and be saved. How often do we feel wronged by someone and desire to punish them rather than to concern ourselves with their spiritual condition? Our society, collectively and individually, is generally quick to judge and slow to love. We seek to call out how we have been slighted rather than hope and pray for those who may have betrayed us. As Monsignor Brad said in a recent homily, how much richer would our lives be if we started each day praying for love!

Jesus was resolute in delivering God’s plan … through the betrayal of Judas, the denial of Peter, and eventually through his own physical suffering and death. This Lenten season brings an opportunity for us to renew our own resolution to bear witness and live God’s plan for us. The selflessness of God’s love for us, when we stop to fully embrace it, can feel overwhelming. And yet there is also great comfort in knowing the reward that awaits us, in knowing that God’s perfect love will bring us eternal life.   

 Q:  How can I focus on love rather than retribution, and grow in selfless love toward others?  

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