the house of a certain man, and tell him, ‘The Master says: My hour is near, and I will celebrate the Passover with my disciples in
your house.’” The disciples did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, Jesus sat at table
with the Twelve. While they were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you: one of you will betray me.” They were deeply distressed,
and they asked him, one after the other, “You do not mean me, do you, Lord?” He answered, “The one who dips his
bread with me will betray me. The Son of Man is going as the Scriptures say he will. But alas for that one who betrays the Son of
Man: better for him not to have been born.” Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, “You do not mean me, Master, do
you?” Jesus replied, “You have said it.”

Reflection:

Betrayal always comes from those who are close to us. For without any
relationship, the action does not pain us as much. The reason why we are devastated
when betrayal sets in is because we believe that they have our best interest
in mind because that is what we have for them. So why do we betray people close to
us? The reasons are varied and diverse. It might be envy and jealousy, pettiness or the
desire to pull people in our miserable state. We cannot stand their good fortune in
front of our own misery. Or sometimes it is just plain over familiarity. We know each
other so well that we take liberty in playing with each other’s feelings. Perhaps also
their current state irritates us. Judas has gradually fallen out with his teacher. He did
not do anything to arrest this feeling. That is why, when the time comes for it to overflow,
he acted against his Master whom he once loved. It was deliberate and decisive. When
love sours and left unchecked, it will do violence and harm to those whom we once loved.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2021