Isaiah 50:4-9a,
Ps 69:8-10.21-22.31,
Matthew 26: 14-25 Full Readings
Never start a conversation with the Devil
Brethren, time is near, Jesus is giving his last prophecy and even pointing out the person to betray him as Judas but even after that Judas still denied that he can't betray Jesus: "Not I, Rabbi, surely? We can say Judas was very stuck in the sin of betrayal, nothing could change him. In yesterday's Reflection we saw that his love for money was uncontrollable but it also looks beyond this, it is the devil at work. Luke 22:3 presents to us that the devil entered Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve and John 13:7 presents to us that as soon as he took the bread Satan entered him, which automatically shows that not only was Judas love for money but also allowed the devil to work in him.
Brethren that's why the theme of this Reflection bases on the fact if never start any conversation with the devil. This conversation can be oral or from our thoughts. Other examples in the Bible who ended into sin because of conversing with the devil are: Eve and the serpent, Joseph's brothers who sold him to Egypt, King David when he killed Uriah and took his wife and many others. In all instances we see the devil destroys every kind of good relationship which existed before, no wonder Jesus says, in John 10:10, the third(devil) comes only to steal, destroy and kill. No good is associated with Satan, and thus when we allow it in our lives, it is only evil that comes forth from us.
The devil makes you stubborn as it made Judas, gives you every fake reason to do evil by rationalizing (perhaps Judas thought Jesus was very powerful not to be arrested by anyone, or he has delayed the Messianicship- that's to be a king- and so wanted to make it fast and may reasons in his mind) and then finally makes you stuck in evil, in a sinful life. It makes you persistent in sin and Persistent sin makes sin easier. And eventually, when one persists in the same sin, that sin is easily rationalized, justified and denied as sin altogether. When one gets stuck in this downward spiral of persistent sin it’s hard to get out. And often the only way to survive the psychological tension is to remain in denial.
It's this stubbornness and persistence in sin of betrayal of Judas that led Jesus to suffering though Jesus knew it before when he says the son of man is going to his fate as the scriptures say (was it perhaps the fulfillment of the prophecy through Judas?). This is echoed from the first Reading as the servant of the Lord has to suffer without any self defense, no resistance and be given up because it is the way of the prophets, the servants of God. But this would not have been done through Judas, his own disciple, Satan took control of him. In fact one of the suffering Jesus had was the loss of his beloved, his disciple Judas who went out of his love, as we saw yesterday that Jesus' heart was very troubled.
This teaches us a lot in our lives, not to allow the devil use us in any way and when in any way fall trap of the devil and recognize it, we have to turn back to God, renounce it and be on the right path again. Perhaps if Judas had confessed publicly rather that denying when Jesus told him, things would have gone well with him. He didn't know where sin was leading him, and we all know what ended with Judas, even though he didn't use the money he had got. That's the way of the devil, no happiness at all.
Reflect today, on the way in which the devil has used you in your life, and is still using you today? Denounce it, and it's ways and come back to Jesus I'm this Holy Week. Reflect also upon Judas saying to Jesus, “Not I, Rabbi, surely?” This sad statement from Judas must have deeply wounded our Lord’s Heart as He witnessed the denial of Judas. Reflect, also, upon the many times that you deny your sin, failing to sincerely repent. Make this Holy Week a time for honesty and integrity. The Lord’s mercy is so deep and pure that, if you would understand it, you would have no need to remain in any form of denial of your sins.
Lord, help me this Holy Week to have the courage I need to face my sin and weakness. I am a sinner, dear Lord, but it can be very hard for me to admit it. May I entrust my sin to You so that I may be set free and receive, in its place, Your abundant mercy, Grace's and strength to fight the Devil. Amen
Blessed Holy Week
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