Tuesday of Holy
Week
(Isaiah 49:1-6; John
13:21-33.36-38)
The apocryphal “Gospel
of Judas” says that Jesus instructed Judas to betray him. It sees Judas not only as Jesus’ obedient
disciple but the only one who truly understood his teaching. Early on, the Church recognized this gospel
as rubbish. It seems to have been
composed in the late second century when similarly strange ideas were
circulating around the Mediterranean area.
The false gospel,
however, does raise the question of whether Judas was ever a sincere
disciple. If not, then why did Jesus
choose him? John’s Gospel tells how
Jesus all along recognized Judas’ evil nature (6:67-71). Still, Judas might have shown some promise when
Jesus selected him for his inner core of disciples.
We should be careful not to write off anyone as irredeemably good or bad. All of us are capable of a deed as wicked as Judas’ betrayal. Conversely, any of us may develop the courage to stand with Jesus at the cross like the beloved disciple. Prayer to a good extent will determine what kind of acts we shall do and what kind of people we will become. We want to ask God for a heart that marvels at His generosity to us and takes pity on those who suffer.
