6th June

ISee how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offence or sin of mine, O Lord. I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight! Psalm 59, 3 & 4

A man tormented by the guilt of murder will be a fugitive till death; let no-one support him.Proverbs 28, 17

Judas betrays his Master

(Mark 14, 10 & 11)

Judas behaviour did not show the real state of his heart, however, Jesus knows and had already said to him at another occasion: "One of you is a devil" (John 6, 70). Judas therefore masked his real inner being. Did he distinguish it himself? Nothing is less sure, because the devil blinds the thoughts of the unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4, 4). The worst of blindness is the one which hides our state of perdition. Satan applies himself to it with fervour. At the meal in Bethany a circumstance lifted the veil of Judas moral state a little: he is a thief and he used to help himself to what was put into the money bag (John, 12, 6). Satan could enter his heart through the door of love of money. The dramatic process is now set in motion, it is irrestistible and irreversible.

The priests are cynically happy in concluding an abominable dealing with the traitor. They are docile instruments which are blinded and led by Satan. It was easy for Judas to find the occasion, because at this moment the hour for the Lord had come.

Scripture had anticipated what Judas would do, however, this does not diminish his responsibility. His tragic destiny is revealed to show us that the greatest priviledges are inoperative to give life. Only God's grace which is seized by faith can ensure eternal salvation.