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 you already experienced how it is to be betrayed by a trusted
friend? Have you already experienced being denied by somebody very close to
you? Jesus experienced these all, He was betrayed by an apostle in Judas and He
was denied also by an apostle who sworn allegiance to Him in Peter.
Just imagine the feelings of Jesus during that time; He knew that His
world was getting smaller by the day. Then, came the betrayal and denial of
Judas and Peter perhaps Jesus’ heart was already bleeding with sorrow. He was
sorrowful but He never took it personally upon them for Jesus knew that
something good would soon come out of these sorrows.
What was the good that came out from Judas betrayal? Jesus was able to
unmask the traitor amongst His followers. What was the good that came from
Peter’s denial? Jesus was able to discover that even those who profess to be
loyal to Him would deny Him so that they could save their own lives.
Nevertheless, Jesus never took this betrayal and denial personally; for He
still forgave the two of them.
We too have denied and betrayed Jesus for countless times already. Has
Jesus took our betrayals and denials personally? Of course not for Jesus
doesn’t know how to harbour ill feelings in His heart.
But can we do something so that we could somehow show to Jesus that we
are remorseful of our disloyalty to Him? Yes we can do something and we begin
it during this Holy Week. By means of observing all the liturgical activities
of the church through TV or facebook via live streaming. Such as The Way of the
Cross, The Chrism Mass and the Mass of the Last Supper, The Veneration of the
Holy Cross and the Easter Vigil Mass.
If we would observe these Holy Liturgical Celebrations even if we are
quarantined in our respective homes brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. We
will not only signify our remorse to Jesus. Through these holy activities we
also are opening ourselves for the presence of Jesus in our lives.
Would we make ourselves available for any of these sacred celebrations
this Holy Week? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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