Deserters, Betrayers, Deniers- Holy Week – Tuesday- John 13:21-33, 36-38
I admit, to a certain extent, I would be flummoxed as to what I was to do, if I was told that tonight would be the last night of my life. Eating a meal would be the last thing on my mind and even if I did, who would I share that with?
Meals were an integral part of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus practically ate His way through the gospels. Today’s reading consists of extracts from the last supper with a deliberate intent to focus on Judas. But before we really go harsh on Judas don’t forget that Jesus sat down for His last meal with all sorts.
Peter would deny the Lord not once but three times. James and John, along with Peter, were singled out ‘remain with Him and stay awake’ in Gethsemane; they failed Him thrice. The gospel of Mark 14:51, tells us that a ‘certain young man was following Him wearing nothing but a linen cloth but when they caught hold of him he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.’ By the time they reach the foot of the cross all the men, barring John, have gone into hiding.
So am I waving a flag for Judas? Certainly not! But here is the Lord, eating His last meal, with all sorts and kind. But it’s not who He is eating with, that most important, but rather what’s He feeding them with, at this meal. To betrayers, deniers and deserters, Jesus offers His body and blood; all this, while scripture tells us that Jesus was deeply troubled and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of your will betray me.”
And yet, it is to Judas, that He gives His body and blood. The Lord never stopped giving and the Lord never stopped loving. That’s why He came, for sinners and the lost! Scripture tells us that Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners. Today we add a few more to that list of table guests; betrayers, deniers and deserters. Even at His last meal on earth, Jesus is ministering to the lost.
Praise God! Awesome write up Fr Warner!! Looking fwdd to having a Light-filled Holy Week🙏
Amazing article…
Such a beautiful sharing Fr. Heart touching. ….God bless!
Very Beautiful Reflection Father.”The Lord never stopped giving and the Lord never stopped loving”,It’s true,It is something like God Gives and Forgives But Man gets and forget.
Perhaps Judas walked into the darkness … but who is to say he did not finally see the LIGHT in the darkness. We have all walked through darkness st one time or another. We need to keep searching for the LIGHT. And the Light will dispel the darkness. I cannot shake off the feeling that Judas finally finally saw the Light and held on to our Saviour’s hand stretched out in mercy and forgiveness.
Norma, while we hope in the lords mercy, we cannot rule out a just penalty for sin. Judas stands as a warning to us all to repent now. To suggest otherwise would rule out the teaching on heaven and hell