We almost don’t even like to say his name. Yes, each of the apostles was burdened with
human weakness, but they eventually came to accept the grace of God and became
great evangelizers and martyrs for the faith.
But not Judas.
Today we hear of Judas’ avarice: in the house of Bethany, he objected when oil
was used to anoint the feet of Jesus, not because he cared for the poor, but
because he was a thief, and used to steal from the contributions.
Recall, an earlier Gospel story about the house of Mary and
Martha. Jesus extolls Mary for sitting
at the feet of Our Lord, and listening to Him.
He commends Mary over Martha’s frantic busywork. It was Mary whose heart was focused on
Christ.
Now Judas too fails to enter into the intimate moment of
adoration. His heart is filled with
greed. His avarice keeps him from
appreciating what is going on here: that Jesus is preparing to go to his death
out of love for sinners.
Mary and Judas serve as an important dichotomy at the
beginning of Holy Week. Again, Mary has
chosen the better portion. She pours out
a year’s salary to anoint and adore Christ.
Judas’ heart was far from Christ.
He was probably already looking for opportunities to betray Jesus.
Mary gives, while Judas takes, and keeps things from Jesus. Mary pours out, while Judas betrays. Let us, of course, follow Mary’s example, gladly
pouring out the best we have in order to adore Christ and repent from our greed
which has kept us from loving Christ.
This is a week for intensifying our Lenten practices of
prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, that, as Christ’s blood is poured out for the
world on Calvary, we might be poured out with him, for the glory of God and
salvation of souls.
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