Holy Tuesday
First Reading: Is 49, 1-6
Gospel Reading: Jn 13, 21-33, 36-38
God is ever merciful! The mercy of God transcends time and space. The mercy of God goes beyond generations, both backward and forward, to redeem and gather the scattered house of Israel. The sublime mercy of God brings forth a ‘new creation’ to show forth His mercy.
Jesus is ever merciful. Jesus remained merciful even to his betrayer. Jesus knew that Judas would betray him. Yet, he remained immeasurably merciful; Jesus remained all-inclusive – he included Judas in the company of his apostles. Jesus did NOT expel Judas from his communion. In sharp contrast, but, Judas tries to expel Jesus from the communion. He betrays Jesus.
Jesus’ repeated caution: “One of you would betray me,” could be seen as God’s infinite mercy given to Judas as a ‘chance’ to convert and redeem himself.
We have experiences of being betrayed, sometimes by the most ‘trusted’ one. It brings shock and numbness. What is our attitude towards such ‘trusted’ betrayers? Are we still able to accommodate them in our network of relationship with an attitude of compassion and mercy? Or do we try to terminate them from our company once for all? It is here that Jesus’ attitude towards Judas gains significance. Jesus remained merciful and compassionate to Judas till he ‘freely chose’ to walk out into the darkness. Jesus is the example of mercy par excellence.
Judas’ negligence and rejection of God’s unconditional love and mercy paid him back the ultimate cost of his own life. Do we take the role of Judas in our families, parishes, and institutions to betray our dear and near ones, our colleagues and friends?
Rejection of God’s mercy is rejection of oneself! But, the mercy of God surpasses all human rejections and wickedness and endures for ever!
