overcoming betrayal
“I assure you, one of you is about to betray Me.”—Matthew 26:21
Jesus ensured that the Last Supper would be celebrated before He would allow Himself to be arrested. In St. Luke’s Gospel, the incident with the man carrying the water jar guaranteed that Judas would not know in advance the location of the Last Supper (Lk 22:8-13). Thus, the institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper would not be stopped by betrayal, even though it will always be connected with betrayal (see 1 Cor 11:23).
During the Last Supper, Jesus washed Judas’ feet and dined with him (Jn 13:5, 26). “The man who has dipped his hand into the dish with Me is the one who will hand me over” (Mt 26:23). Jesus gave Judas every opportunity to accept His grace, but Judas did not seize it. Accordingly, Judas called Jesus “Rabbi” (Mt 26:25), while the other disciples called Jesus “Lord” (Mt 26:22).
Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing (Jn 15:5). Apart from Jesus, we could potentially betray Him. As we approach the Triduum, let us overcome betrayal by focusing wholeheartedly on Jesus alone. Like the eleven apostles, let us address Jesus as “Lord,” for only in the Holy Spirit can we address Jesus as Lord (1 Cor 12:3). May we in turn always have the grace to love Him till the end (Mt 24:13; Lk 21:19).
Prayer: Jesus, enable me to be completely faithful to You at all times. Never let me be parted from You.
Promise: “The Lord God is my Help, therefore I am not disgraced.” —Is 50:7
Praise: “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless His holy name” (Ps 103:1).
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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