[ Today's Readings ]
The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.
Jesus trusts in the LORD. Because of this he is able to love others even when they do not love him. He is able to give even Judas every chance, knowing all the while that he will not take them. That lack of response is not, ultimately, a threat to Jesus in his deepest core and his truest identity. Judas failing to respond to the love of Jesus does have profound consequences for Judas himself, for Jesus, and for the world. But even though it means crucifixion and death for Jesus he doesn't have to run from the lack of response to his love. Because Jesus trusts in the Father he is able to love even the one who betrays him.
"Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me."
Deeply distressed at this,
they began to say to him one after another,
"Surely it is not I, Lord?"
He said in reply,
"He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me
is the one who will betray me.
He welcomes even the kiss of betrayal. He responds by calling him friend. Let us in turn listen to God who opens our ears to love in in difficult moments.
The Lord GOD has given me
a well-trained tongue,
That I might know how to speak to the weary
a word that will rouse them.
Morning after morning
he opens my ear that I may hear;
And I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.
There are times when we ourselves betray Jesus. Isn't it good to know how unconditional is his love for us? Yet for this to be to our advantage we must not be like Judas
It would be better for that man if he had never been born.
When we betray Jesus we can repent with great confidence, knowing that his love for us is still there waiting, undiminished by our failings.
"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."
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