Theme of the Week: Holy Week

Wednesday 27 th March 2013 Judas agrees to betray Jesus

Throughout history, for the last two thousand years Judas has been known as the one who betrayed Jesus, but maybe it is important to reflect on why? Did he have to do it because it was God's plan? No, we are all given free will and therefore make choices. The problem is however we are not always 'free' in the choices we make. We sometimes make choices out of anger, because things are not going our way, because we feel let down. The fact that Judas killed himself after realising that his betrayal of Jesus would lead to his death tells us that he didn't act with great freedom. He wanted Jesus to overthrow the authorities but in his way, not in God's. Let's then not be angry at Judas but more willing to pray for the things he can teach us.

Questions to Reflect On: When do I act on my emotions/feelings, and not always with great freedom? When do I act in order to get things done 'my way' and not the way another person intends? Do I ever talk to God about your feelings? If so how does this help me? If you could give Judas advice before he chose to 'betray' Jesus, what would it be? How do you advise your friends/peers when you see them about to make a wrong decision?

Let us pray: Almighty ever-living God, grant us so to celebrate the mysteries of the Lord’s Passion that we may merit to receive your forgiveness, even when we struggle to forgive ourselves. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Adapted from Creighton Online Ministries