We all have known betrayal at one time or another in our lives.
It breaks relationships, trust, and even love. There is estrangement and the bonds of friendship are broken whether a small inconsequential infraction or a large duplicitous, treacherous, crossing out: we know how it feels.
Oh, how many times I have read today's Gospel and have pointed my crooked finger at Judas, passing judgment on what he did.
In 1 Peter 2:21, we are reminded Christ left us His example so we would follow in His footsteps. The same kind of meal that the apostles received we are to lay out for all. Nothing we do, no suffering, dying, fasting or prayer would ever bring us eternal life. We are free from death only in His death.
Jesus referred to Judas, the man who would betray Him, as his friend. We, too, are asked to love those friends who cause us trouble and suffering, injury, pain, even torture and death.
Dear Lord, I deeply regret what I have done to you: my wrongdoings, my clouded thinking and all the empty promises I broke. Thank you for the gift of confession-- of forgiveness. May you be the one and only focus of my life.
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