Judas Took the Morsel!

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Is 49: 1-6; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38

Today’s Gospel is evocative because it shows the deeply troubled Jesus. 

Jesus’ gesture of giving the morsel must have meant something to Judas. Jesus gave him an opportunity to realize what he was doing. However, Jesus’ gesture that called for conversion did not mean anything to the betrayer, as he was ready and determined to betray his master. When Jesus finds him resolute to carry on with his scheme with no guilt or remorse, Jesus concludes the encounter, saying, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’ It is into that determined mind of Judas that Satan enters. 

Here, we must note that St. John uses the word ‘night’ in a highly symbolic manner. John, who shows Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night (Jn 3:1-21), shows Judas leaving Jesus at night. Judas went out because it was ‘night’ (he could proceed with the evil scheme of betraying Jesus). Or it was night because he ‘left’ the presence of Jesus, the light. 

Through what he did, Judas became an example of betrayal. We call it a betrayal because it broke the trust that Jesus had in Judas. Judas, who betrayed Jesus, confirms the fact that betrayal never comes from enemies. The Greek sage Aesop said, ‘Betray a friend and you will often find you have ruined yourself.’ Judas ruined himself when he ruined the trust that the Lord had in him. 

We can either build or break trust. 

Let us pray that we may be people who will build on the trust that God has in us, as it is the best way to build our relationship with God.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar