Scripture reading: John 13:21-33, 36-38

While at supper with his disciples, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared,

I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.

The disciples looked at one another, wondering which he  meant. The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus;
Simon Peter signed to him and said,  Ask who it is he means', so leaning back on Jesus' breast he said, Who is it, Lord?
Jesus replied

It is the one, to whom I give the piece of bread that I shall dip in the dish.'

He dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. At that instant, after Judas had taken the bread, Satan entered him.
Jesus then said, What you are going to do, do quickly.

None of the others at table understood  the reason he said this. Since Judas had charge of the common fund, some of them thought Jesus was telling him, buy what we need for the festival, or telling him to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the piece of bread he went out. Night had fallen.

When he had gone Jesus said: ...

'My little children, I shall not be with you much longer.
You will look for me, and, as I told the Jews,
where I am going, you cannot come.'

Simon Peter said,
'Lord, where are you going?'
Jesus replied,

'Where I am going you cannot follow me now;
you will follow me later.'

Peter said to him, 'Why can't I follow you now?
I will lay down my life for you.'

'Lay down your life for me?' answered Jesus.
'I tell you most solemnly, before the cock crows
you will have disowned me three times.'

Short Reflection: Betrayal and the glory of God 

 In the very moment of Judas' betrayal Jesus had also some sense of being glorified and of God being glorified. He was fulfilling his Father's will but it hurt deeply.The betrayal was real, and Jesus felt every nuance of it. He also knew that Peter and the other apostles would betray him and flee. He knew that self interest and survival was deeply rooted in all people and often they took precedence before the higher aspirations of loyalty and commitment to others.

The betrayal by Judas was a total sell out. He had lost faith in Jesus and sold him for just thirty pieces of silver. Peter simply lacked courage and panicked, the other disciples got confused, lacked leadership and understanding and they too fled in fear. Jesus felt every bit of that pain of betrayal but he accepted that they did not fully underestand and appreciate what Jesus was really all about.

Story: St Therésè and the executed criminal 

St Therésè of Lisieux tells about a criminal about to be executed who stubbornly rejected all offers of spiritual help from the prison chaplain. She was very concerned about him, and she became very determined, in prayer, to obtain some change of heart be­fore he died. An extraordinary thing happened that had a profound effect on her understanding of God's love and mercy.

Just before he was blind-folded, and placed beneath the guillotine,
he snatched the crucifix from the chaplain's hands, and kissed it reverently.
He continued to clutch it, as he was put into position, and the blade fell.
We must never give up on God.
It is never too late for him to act - even if He does not do exactly what we expect and when we expect it.
(Jack Mc Ardle, And that's the Gospel truth, www.columba.ie)

A prophet a day can keep the devil away: St Peter, a Prophet by his actions

Simon was a successful professional fisherman with his own boat living at Capharnam at the beginning of Christ's public ministry. His brother Andrew one day said to him, 'We have found the Messiah,' and brought him to Jesus, who, looking upon him, said:

Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is interpreted "Peter" (Rock).

Peter with the other early disciples remained with Jesus for some time,
accompanying Jesus on his wandering way about Galilee. Though of
irresolute character, he clung with fidelity, firmness of faith, and inward
love to Jesus; Though rash in word and act, Peter grew full of zeal and enthusiasm.
Jesus choose him to be head of His community.

But in Jerusalem that weekend, Peter was afraid for his life, and not understanding how the death of Jesus fitted in, followed Jesus to the courtyard of the High Priest.
When challenged Peter got scared, panicked and swore that he never knew Jesus.
When Jesus gazed at Peter, he recognized his mistake and repented immediately and bitterly.
Jesus once again forgave him with a glance – it was all in the eyes.
Later on as a confirmation of this Christ appeared to him on the first day after the Resurrection. Jesus once again forgave him.
Peter's most likely request to Jesus: Lord, can we start again please?
Jesus' most likely response: And why not Peter?

A gentle call to action

Think about any second chances you ever got.
Think of any hurt you ever received and  anyone to whom you might need to give another chance.
The past is a strange land and as they say, ‘We did things differently there’.
Some of our past may be really bad as with the clerical and general child abuse tragedies,
not to mention the wider domestic abuse hurts. 
Somehow we have to find a way through it.
Forgiveness certainly may not be first step but eventually it needs to be part of the healing process.
Jesus had the ability to instantly forgive, for most of us it takes some time and a lot of work.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
You suffered abuse and betrayal from the authorities, the high priest  and fellow priests, temple workers, pharisees, army,
the crowd, his followers, disciples
-just about everyone except Mary and the other women that followed you and young John.

In my life I have been hurt and suffered betrayal and abuse by others.
Give me the strength, patience, compassion and courage to do as you did.

I may not be able to forgive as easily as you did but help me to start today.

 Amen.

Prayer image of the Day.

"One of you will betray me;
before the cock crows, you will have disowned me three times".
...Ezekiel 37: 21f

'All our experience with history should teach us,
when we look back,
how badly human wisdom is betrayed
- when it relies on itself"
-Martin Luther quotes