Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Wednesday of Holy Week | USCCB
Every year the Wednesday of Holy Week is known as Spy Wednesday. It’s the day when we hear of Judas meeting with the Jewish leaders to turn Jesus over for the cost of 30 pieces of silver.
I often wonder what made Judas betray Jesus to those in authority. He was one of the 12 apostles and spent three years with Jesus hearing him preach and seeing him heal people and bring them back into relationship with God. Couldn’t he see that Jesus was indeed the Messiah? Why was he disappointed with Jesus?
We know that Jesus was destined to die for our sins on the cross. As a result, Judas had his part in having that come about. We do hear in today’s gospel Jesus saying, “Woe to the man would betray me.” (Matthew 26:24) Judas did regret betraying Jesus and attempted to return the 30 pieces of silver. The scribes and pharisees refused to accept the money back, and unfortunately Judas would go off and commit suicide.
Had Judas not committed suicide, when Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, he, like Peter would have received forgiveness.
As we meditate upon Judas’ part in the betrayal of Jesus, let us remember that we, too, betray Jesus every time we sin. But, fortunately for us, the Risen Lord is waiting for us to turn to him in the sacrament of confession to forgive us.
In confession the Lord is asking us, like he asked Peter, “Do you love me?” We respond, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. Please forgive me.” Jesus then forgives our sins.
As we approach Good Friday and Easter Sunday, let us turn to the Lord with love in our hearts and know that he is always waiting for us to bring us forgiveness and salvation.
From Arlene B. Muller
ReplyDeleteThe character & motives of Judas are somewhat mysterious & subject to several interpretations & speculation, especially in sermons, books, plays & movies.
One version focuses on covetousness & money. According to St. John's Gospel, Judas was appointed by Our LORD to be guardian of the treasury who might sometimes have "appropriated" some of the funds.
Another interpretation suggests that Judas was a zealot with strong hopes that JESUS as Messiah would overthrow the Romans. A related interpretation was related to pride, power, authority & prestige. So this would suggest that Judas desired power, position & prestige in an earthly kingdom & when Our LORD proved Himself to be a humble servant whose kingdom us "not of this world", Judas became increasingly disgruntled & chose to betray Our LORD.
If I remember the novel written by Taylor Caldwell about Judas & the movie THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (in which Judas was portrayed by David McCallum) correctly, Judas never intended harm to come to Our LORD but believed that JESUS is the Messiah and believed that if he handed JESUS over to the Jewish religious authorities, this would FORCE JESUS' hand to prove Himself to be the Messiah & demonstrate His power. So Judas, according to this interpretation, never intended that JESUS would be crucified but would have been given the opportunity to prove He was the Messsiah & establish His Kingdom on earth. I like this interpretation & it also is consistent with the remorse & suicidal despair Judas felt when the outcome of his betrayal was Our LORD'S Crucifixion.
YES, Our LORD forgave Judas & he would have received forgiveness if he had only not succumbed to despair & suicide. Especially if the Taylor Caldwell & GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD motives are accurate there could still be hope for Judas' final eternal destiny. Perhaps after a long extended time in purgatory Judas could actually eventually find the forgiveness & salvation he desperately needs & enter into heaven by the end of the age.