The WORD in other words (2009) by Fr Rudy Horst SVD – Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
Holy Wednesday of Holy Week – Lent
Judas is one of the most enigmatic figures in the Bible! Even though we concentrate on Christ’s Passion during this Holy Week, the liturgy invites us to reflect also about Judas.
I find it easy to identify with Peter but I would never like to identify with Judas. And yet, there are parallels.
Jesus chose Judas as the twelfth apostle. He drew him into his closest circle of friends, gave him a great responsibility in the group of disciples – to manage the common fund. Similarly, I was chosen to be a disciple and friend of Jesus. I feel his love for me and he has given me with the great responsibilities of a disciple.
Jesus was gentle with Judas during the Last Supper. I have experienced the same kindness of Jesus toward me when I actually deserved harsh treatment.
Judas followed Jesus, as I do. He had listened to Jesus, as I do. He was ready to give three years of his life to be with Jesus. The same with me, even more than five decades already.
Here I wish the comparison to end. What can Judas teach me so that I do not do the last terrible step: betray my Lord?
Judas heard Jesus but did not listen. He was not ready to do what Jesus taught. He ignored Jesus’s repeated call for repentance.
Repentance and ongoing conversion then must be my first step, repeated again and again over the years, to avoid the last step: betrayal. I must be brutally honest with myself, admit my evil tendencies and allow Jesus to heal me. I have to ask him to support me in my struggle to let the friendship he offers grow in me.
In other words, I stay in constant communication with him, always knowing that without him I can do nothing. For I know that without him I might eventually do the last step Judas made.
