DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to turn over to them, Jesus of Nazareth. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray Him. – Mark 14:10-11

I often wonder about both the motivation of Judas and the destiny of Judas.  Why did he do it, for what reason?  What would have ever become of Judas if he had not taken his own life out of remorse?  The gospel writers each make their case in subtle and not-so-subtle ways, but I think it was by way of tragic miscalculation and lack of a fuller understanding.

Maybe in the life-to-come Judas’ mindset will become known to us … and then again … it may have all been forgotten.   I have chosen to forgive Judas for he surely was numbered among those to whom Christ offered mercy …”forgive them, Father, for they known not what they do”.

The tragic story of Judas ought to be a word of caution to us all.  I am and most probably you as well are capable of making tragic miscalculations.  We think we know what the Lord would want us to do … most often, we discern correctly, but sometimes we discern incorrectly.  But pride, arrogance, our human hubris that we surely know better than others know … causes us to blind ourselves with the flash of the cannon fire of our zeal.

And I wonder what Judas thought of the actions and attitudes of the other eleven disciples.  Did he think them weak?  Did he think they were unwilling to do what must be done?  Did he think they were paralyzed out of fear?  Did he think they were so cautious to the brink of cowardice?

Loved Ones, we lack the humility to pause to consider … have I tragically miscalculated?  Our mortal zeal does always require the wisdom of a sabbath’s pause.

Always in Christ’s Service,

Fr. Charitas de la Cruz