TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Judas . . . left at once. 

Just as yesterday’s Gospel did, today’s Gospel shows us two different characters, this time Judas and Peter, and their roles in Jesus’ passion. Neither story goes well: Judas betrays the Lord, while Peter denies even knowing him. Later, when he realized what he had done, Judas “deeply regretted” having sold out the Lord (Matthew 27:3). And when Peter faced up to his act of denial, he “began to weep bitterly” (26:75). But as similar as their stories are, they end very differently. Judas gave in to despair, but Peter found hope through Jesus’ mercy.

What made the difference? We can make one observation: Judas separated himself from the apostles, while Peter did not. Imagine Judas alone, his betrayal playing over and over in his mind, distressing him so much that perhaps he forgot that the whole reason Jesus came was to offer sinners forgiveness and mercy.

Peter, meanwhile, stayed with the other disciples. They all felt lost after having abandoned the Lord, so Peter fit right in with them. Together they could share their feelings of shame, disappointment, grief, and fear. And by leaning on each other, they probably found that the pain was more bearable. So when the risen Lord appeared to the apostles and took Peter aside for a bit, Peter was more open to receiving the forgiveness the Lord so generously offered. Of course, Jesus could have focused on Peter’s cowardice and his failure to stand up for him. But instead, he reminded Peter of how much he loved him, and he urged him to spend his energy following him and caring for the others (John 21:1-19).

Like Peter, you have a group—the Church! It’s not perfect, just as the apostles weren’t perfect. But it’s ready to support you and hold you in prayer. It’s where you can join other believers who are seeking healing, holiness, and a closer relationship with Jesus. It’s the place where you can experience the prayer and loving concern of brothers and sisters in the Lord—and where you can offer the same compassion and prayer. How blessed we are to be called together by Christ!

“Jesus, thank you for giving us each other. Lord, teach us how to live together in your love!”

Isaiah 49:1-6
Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17
John 13:21-33, 36-38