THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Tuesday of Holy Week, 2021

 Isa 49: 1-6

Ps 71

 John 13:21-33, 36-38

One of You Will Betray Me…

Dear friends in Christ, betrayals abound everywhere, but none is more painful than when the innocent is betrayed by a trusted ally. What happens when your marriage is troubled by a third party who is a close friend? What of a good friend who lies to implicate you, to get out of trouble and by that leaves you neck deep in trouble?

Our first reading today (Isaiah 49:1-6) is the second of the songs of the suffering servant of Yahweh. It is about God’s reassurance for the servant, “You are my servant Israel in whom I will be glorified.” While the servant responds, “I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity…” Yet he feels that his recompense is in God. God thus reassures him, that he will be the light of the nations, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. God’s ways are different from ours.

The Gospel of today (John 13:21-33.36-38) brings the pain of betrayal from a close friend. “Truly, truly I say to you, one of you will betray me.” How does it feel, that Jesus knew who will betray him but hid the identity from others? Perhaps to give him one more chance, to repent. Judas’ mind was however made up. He had concluded his plans to betray him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Others thought he was going out to buy some things from the market for the feast. He went out, and it was night. He chose the way of darkness and went into the dark. He betrayed the master for money. But even in this betrayal, Jesus saw something different, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and in him God is glorified; if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.” Many today betray their nation for money, betray the poor for quick wealth, betray the electorate for their own selfish purposes. Have you betrayed him too? In the many and varied ways by which you fail to follow his teachings; in the many ways you have reneged on the vows you have made?

Peter was very anxious, to do something for Jesus, he promised to stay by him, “Lord why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you?” Can anyone blame Peter? The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Peter is not the only one who promises more than he can deliver. You do that sometimes too! Like any of us, the desire to do good may be strong and often it might outweigh our capacity to follow through with the promises we make.

It is time to appeal for his mercy and make sincere efforts at not falling again.

Let us pray: Lord, we are sorry for our many sins, for the times we have betrayed you by our thoughts, words and actions. Have mercy on us, Lord Amen.

+Remain blessed