Reflection for March 31 Tuesday of Holy Week: John 13:21-33, 36-38

Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-38

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him, “Master, who is it? 

Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas son of Simon the Iscariot. After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly. Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or to give something to the poor. So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night. 

When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.” 

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”

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Reflection:

Have we ever experienced what it is like to be betrayed by a trusted friend? Have we ever felt the deep pain of being denied by someone very close to us? Jesus Christ Himself went through these painful moments. He was betrayed by one of His own, Judas Iscariot, and denied by another who had once professed his loyalty, Peter.

As we reflect on this, we can only imagine the sorrow that filled the heart of Jesus. Day by day, His world seemed to grow smaller. Those whom He loved and trusted began to fall away. When betrayal and denial came, His heart must have been wounded deeply, perhaps even bleeding with sorrow. And yet, in the midst of such pain, Jesus chose not to take these personally. He saw beyond the hurt. He trusted that even in suffering, God’s greater purpose would unfold.

Indeed, something good came out of these painful moments. Through Judas’ betrayal, the hidden truth was revealed. Through Peter’s denial, the weakness of even the most devoted follower came to light—that in moments of fear, we can falter. These events remind us not only of human frailty but also of God’s greater plan working quietly even in darkness.

And yet, what is most striking is this: Jesus forgave. He did not allow betrayal or denial to harden His heart. He did not cling to anger or resentment. Instead, He responded with mercy and love.

When we look into our own hearts, we realize that we, too, have denied and betrayed Jesus in many ways—through our sins, our weaknesses, and our moments of unfaithfulness. And still, He does not turn away from us. He does not keep a record of our failures. His heart remains open, always ready to forgive, always ready to welcome us back.

What then is Jesus teaching us today?

He invites us to remain faithful and never betray the trust given to us. But more than that, He calls us to forgive—especially when it is difficult, even when no apology is offered. For when we hold on to anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness, it is not the other person who suffers the most—it is us. Forgiveness, though painful, is the path to true freedom of the heart.

As followers of Jesus, we are called not only to receive His mercy but also to reflect it in the way we treat others.

When we are hurt, betrayed, or denied… will we choose to hold on to the pain, or will we choose to love and forgive as Jesus does?—Marino J. Dasmarinas