It’s hard to comprehend how Judas Iscariot could be so close to Jesus and betray Him … that is until we think about how many times we’ve gone to Mass and then, less than twenty-four hours later, have fallen into sin.
Though the acts and magnitude differ, there is still something in this gospel that’s meant to challenge anyone who needs to be humbled or to appreciate the fragility of our faithfulness to Jesus.
Like the first disciples, as we grow in appreciation of God’s love for us, the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus’ life to save us, we strive to follow His example and to live lives of virtue and holiness. But from time to time, we tire or get frustrated or discouraged, and at times, we give into temptation and choose the wrong instead of the good.
Holy Week is a special time to give thanks to God for our salvation and to seek His mercy. But first, we need to take an honest look at how we’re doing right now.
This weekend, I had coffee with a friend. Near the beginning of the conversation, he said, “Fr. Dave, how are you doing?” I said, “Busy but good,” and then shifted on to something else.
We talked for a while about lots of things, but as we were wrapping up, my friend looked me right in the eye and said, “Hey, Fr. Dave, let me ask you again, how are you doing?” This time, I gave him a more in-depth answer.
It's amazing how those who know us best and really care will keep asking those questions, the ones we really need to look at. This Lent, but especially this week, Jesus is asking each of us how we are doing.
Jesus wants to know if we are anxious or at peace; if we are hopeful or discouraged. He wants to know if we are finding joy in following Him or struggling with doubt; and so many other questions, including, do we need to be forgiven?
It’s Peter, not Judas, who most of us resemble in our spiritual journeys.
At the Last Supper, Peter wanted to know who would betray Jesus. You can imagine Peter asking with a sense of anger that a brother-disciple would betray not only Jesus but also the other eleven.
And yet Peter overestimated his own ability to withstand temptation in the garden. He would deny knowing Jesus three times only hours after sharing the paschal meal and claiming that he would lay down his life for Him.
In these final days before the Triduum, let us pray with and for our families and friends. Let us pray for the strength to seek forgiveness in Confession and for the grace to continue to stay close to Jesus by how we speak and act between.
May we recognize the gift of our faith and strengthen it through prayer, Mass, and Confession, letting Jesus nourish and heal us in these holy days.
Reverend David S. Marcham is the Vice Postulator for the Cause of Venerable Patrick Peyton, and Director of the Father Peyton Guild, whose members pray for Father Peyton’s beatification and spread his message of the importance of Family Prayer. Prior to becoming a seminarian, Father David was a physical therapist and clinical instructor, serving hospital inpatients and outpatients throughout the greater Boston area for eleven years. In 1998 he heard the call to priesthood and was ordained in the Archdiocese of Boston in 2005. Father David grew up in Quincy, MA, and has fond memories of playing soccer, tennis and running track. You’re never without a friend when Father David is around, as he welcomes everyone into his circle with a smile on his face!
