JUDAS, ONE OF THE TWELVE

PRAYER MOMENT             

Wednesday 16 April 2014

JUDAS, ONE OF THE TWELVE

Pause. Be still in the presence of Jesus as he approaches his Passion

Reading: “Judas, who was to betray him, asked in his turn, “Not I, Rabbi, surely?” “They are your own words,” answered Jesus.” (Matt. 26:14-25, Is 50:4-9)

Reflection. We might have thought that it was quite enough that the Jews, God’s own chosen people, had rejected Jesus. But it gets worse than that. His disciples will desert him, Peter will deny him and Judas will betray him. These are the people closest to him on whom he relied to carry on his mission. He will be left alone with that terrible cry, “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?” We try to grasp what it was like and our hearts grieve for him. But we grieve for ourselves too. How often one hears of those closest to people turning against them? For example, a husband dies and his brothers turn the widow out of the house and take his property, leaving her to fend for herself. Any betrayal of relationship is a repeat of what happened to Jesus. “He carried our sorrows,” (Is 53:4)  

.

Prayer. Lord, to be betrayed by your own people is the deepest wound of all. We grieve with you in these days and pray for fidelity in our own relationships with one another. Amen.

David Harold-Barry SJ