Isaiah 49: 1-6,
Psalm 71: 1-2.3-4a.5-6ab.15ab,
John 13:21 - 33.36-38) Full Reading
Saint John Baptist de la Salle
Even the more closest friends of Jesus betrayed Him
Brethren, let not love of money and fear make us disown Jesus. Today's Gospel shows that Judas betrayed Jesus because of money, his love of money as we saw yesterday's reflection was beyond control, even after Jesus had made him know that he was to betray him he went ahead and did it. Secondly Peter denied Jesus because of fear, he feared to be killed though he was boasting that he would follow Jesus and even die with him. Peter saved preferred his life to that of Jesus. All Jesus' prophecies were right. All these were Jesus' closest disciples and friends and that's why I have given the theme of this reflection that even Jesus' closest friends betrayed him.
The gospel tells us that Jesus' heart was troubled, This does not mean that Jesus had fear of what was to come but his heart was troubled because of losing Judas the betrayer. Jesus has chosen his disciples after intent prayer and loved them unconditionally with divine love, and so he saw that Judas was going out of his love and was troubled because of losing him the way you feel when you feel you are losing your best friend. Sometimes we too make Jesus' heart to be troubled by not accepting his love and giving it more to others. Jesus doesn't force his love on us, we are free to accept or refuse it, but when we refuse it and we go into sin we make him troubled. Reflect today on how you have troubled Jesus by words actions thoughts, attitudes, and choices in When you tell you have troubled Jesus’ Heart, don't despair like Judas but rejoice that you are aware and you can make amends, then come back to him in a contrite heart and ask for his Mercy, he will surely welcome you back.
Our invitation today is that, if closest friends of Jesus betrayed him, then it can also happen to us. We have a lot of experiences of betrayal and they hurt us when we think about them but we are encouraged to imitate Jesus who even died because of that betrayal but forgave them. We therefore ought to forgive them and we distance ourselves from such evil actions of betrayal. Our invitation is also to move with Jesus especially in this Holy Week up to his cross. Judas and Peter could not be close to him to console him though they had boasted to be with him, let us not be like them but let's be close to Jesus walk with him to the cross for we know as the first Reading tells us he is the servant of God and God will glorify him above everyone and he will go with us his friends to that glory.
In our relationships let not the love of money or fear be hindrance to love our fellows and God. Money should indeed develop deeper our relationship and fear should be turned into respect. We ask God to give us strength to love him more than ever.
Let us pray
"Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart which no unworthy thought can drag downwards; an unconquered heart which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord." (Prayer of Thomas Aquinas) Amen.
Be blessed
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