The Gospel for this day is taken
from John 13:21-33,36-38.
Jesus was with His disciples. He
talked about betrayal. In saying that someone from His disciples would betray
Him, Jesus conveyed the message to His disciples that He trusted all of them. One
cannot be betrayed by someone if he/she did not trust that person. However, the
subtitle in the Gospel, Announcement of
Judas’s Betrayal, may lead us to stop suspecting that there was another
disciple who would betray Jesus. Yet Jesus knew it that both Judas and Peter
would betray Him. He announced that someone would betray Him “referring to
Judas” (Matthew 26: 24-25, Mark 14: 18-21, Luke 22: 21-23 and John 13: 21-30).
He also told Peter that the latter would deny Him three times (Matthew 26:
30-35, Mark 14: 26-31, Luke 22: 31-34 and John 13: 33-38).
It is hard to speak of betrayal
when we do not talk about trust. And most trust is built through a promise. As
Catholics, we made promises to God and to His Church. During our Baptism, our parents
and godparents made promises on our behalf to renounce Satan and believe in God
and the Church. During our Confirmation, we ourselves renewed those promises. Take
note that the priest/minister used “holy chrism” in the administration of those
sacraments. It is also used to anoint a newly ordained priest/bishop. “Holy
chrism” is one of the three oils blessed by a bishop during the Chrism Mass on
Holy Thursday.
Today, we pray for all the
members of the Catholic Church, especially for those who have fully received
the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist), that
they continue to fulfill what they have promised before God and to the Church. We
also pray for the basic unit in the Catholic Church –the Catholic family. As a Catholic
family, it is better to pray jointly and solidarily this day. They may reflect on
their promises not only those which they made during their baptism and
confirmation but which is promised between or among themselves. They may begin
asking if they are a Catholic family who eats together and shares each other’s
thoughts and feelings while having their meal.
For Catholic husband and wife, they
may reflect on their wedding vow; how they keep their marriage sacred. Do they
inspire their children to love the way they love?
For Catholic parents, they may
reflect on how they fulfill their promise to their child/children. Do they
teach them Christian values?
For Catholic children, they may
reflect on how they fulfill their promise to their parents and/or grandparents.
Do they give them the respect due to them? Do they pray together with their
parents and/or grandparents?
For Catholic grandparents, they
may pray for their children and grandchildren to grow up to be good Catholics.
If there are broken promises
within the Catholic family, it is ok to feel remorse. Judas Iscariot regretted
as he said, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). Peter
also regretted what he did after the cock crowed because he remembered what
Jesus said about his “denial”. He went out and began to weep bitterly (Matthew
26: 75).
However, remorse is not enough. Like
Peter, a Catholic has to start living a new life with an inner change of heart,
renew his/her promises with a new dedication. He/she is called to return to
his/her family/community like Peter and not to kill oneself like Judas. He/she
may light a candle before an image of our Lord and ask for His mercy and forgiveness.
He/she may also pray for the protection of his/her family.
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