Encountering the Word
After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do. ”Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night. When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, 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? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times. [John 13:21-33, 36-38]
Encountering the Word
These scenes throughout Holy Week are so familiar to us that it is easy for the subtle details to pass us by. We can also fail to see how they are relevant to us, beyond noting that they represent significant events in the last days of Jesus’ life and ministry.
Here we are reminded of the many famous paintings that have depicted this scene down through the centuries. Peter asks John to ask Jesus what is going on. Jesus offers a piece of bread to a slightly bemused and distracted Judas. The remaining disciples are oblivious to the significance of what they are witnessing and are chatting in small groups as people do at such events. In these artistic depictions, we stand on the outside of the painting looking in, much more aware of what’s really happening than any of the people represented in the painting, with the exception of Jesus himself.
But are we really on the outside looking in? Aren’t we the disciples relaxing and simply chatting among ourselves, largely unaware of the significance of what’s happening around us? Or perhaps we are really Peter, intent on finding out what’s happening and full of promises about what we are going to do…and then failing to deliver. Or, dare we wonder, are we Judas, so clear in our minds about what needs to happen, and so willing to do anything to ensure that our plans and intentions are carried out?
Peter makes his promises and Judas has his plans. Peter’s promises are spoken out loud and, while they will later come back to haunt him, they are part of his road to holiness. Judas’ plans are hidden away in his heart and will soon destroy him. Peter learns humility and seeks forgiveness. Judas embraces despair and does not ask to be forgiven. The sin of Judas wasn’t, I believe, confined to the fact that he betrayed Jesus. His sin was that he failed to reach out to the only one who could rescue him when he needed it most.
Being the Word
The plans and intentions of Judas and Peter should not be dismissed lightly. We all have our plans and intentions, and they are important. At the very least, they say a lot about who we are and where we stan
