Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified,“Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant.One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved,was reclining at Jesus’ side.So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant.He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him,“Master, who is it?”Jesus answered,“It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.”So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas,son of Simon the Iscariot.After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him.So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him.Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him,“Buy what we need for the feast,”or to give something to the poor.So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.When he had left, Jesus said,“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself,and he will glorify him at once.My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.You will look for me, and as I told the Jews,‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.”Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?”Jesus answered him,“Where I am going, you cannot follow me now,though you will follow later.”Peter said to him,“Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me?Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crowbefore you deny me three times.”
REFLECTION
Have you ever been betrayed by someone?
How did you react to the betrayal?
The definition of betrayal defines five types.
1) The act of exposing or delivering someone to an enemy through treachery or
disloyalty.
2) The act of disappointing a person’s trust, hopes, or expectations.
3) The act of revealing information in violation of confidence.
4) Failure to keep or honor a promise, principle, cherished memory.
5) An act or instance of unconsciously revealing or displaying some quality or
characteristic, typically one preferably concealed.
In the first verse of today’s Gospel according to John, Jesus delivers a shocking statement to his disciples. “Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” (John 13:21)
Why was Jesus troubled?
If you go back to the earlier verses in (John 13: 14-20) After Jesus washes the feet of his disciples, he explains that not all of his disciples will understand his teachings about serving one another. “If you understand this, you shall be blessed if you will do it.”(John 13:17)
“I am not speaking about all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But this is so that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me shall lift up his heel against me.’(John 13:17-20)
Jesus knew who his betrayer was and exposed the deed to all his disciples including Judas Iscariot.
Was Jesus giving Judas a chance to change his mind and save his soul?
Was saving Judas’ soul troubling Jesus?
Already Jesus knew that his hour had come to glorify his Father and that he would suffer and die. This was his purpose. The Pharisees and Herodians were plotting to kill him and they had gathered their evidence.
Simon Peter encouraged John to find out who the betrayer is. John asked “Master, who is it? Jesus answered, It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it. So, he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him.
So, Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” (John 13: 25-29)
After Judas took the morsel he left immediately.
Later on, Jesus tells the disciples that he will be with them only a little while longer and that where he is going, they will not be able to follow him now, but they will follow him later.
Simon Peter asked, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.” (John 13: 36-38)
Jesus loves all of us. He loved Judas Iscariot. He loved Simon Peter. Jesus said, “I know those whom I have chosen.” He knew all about Judas’ good qualities and bad, his dishonesty and love of money. He knew Simon Peter. Simon Peter’s quality of leadership and his weakness, lack of courage. Jesus is the Son of God; he could only want good for Judas and Simon Peter.
Both disciples betrayed Jesus. Judas’s betrayal fits the first three types listed in the above definition. Simon Peter’s betrayal fits the second type. Even though, Jesus told both men what would happen; it did not change their choice to betray their Teacher. Each man had a chance to ask for Jesus’ mercy. Only Simon Peter was sorry for his betrayal and accepted Jesus’ mercy. Judas’ pride led him to commit suicide rather than ask for Jesus to forgive him.
Let us always remember that our sins are not as great as Jesus’ mercy.
Go to confession as often as possible and ask for forgiveness and mercy.
Pray for our priests to be loyal to Jesus and His people.
Join us in praying our PAPA Prayer for Priests and on Good Friday begin the Divine Mercy Novena.
