The Gospel selections for the first three days of Holy Week are heavy with tragedy; not the tragedy of Christ and his violent death at the hands of the men for whom he died, but the tragedy of Judas who betrayed the man who loved him. The tragic figure of Judas Iscariot stalks through these Gospels, dominating them, weighing them with anguish and pain.
Today’s and tomorrow’s Gospel readings focus on the most tragic act of all — Judas’ betrayal of Jesus — as told by the evangelists John and Matthew.
Why this heavy emphasis on the person of Judas, and on his tragic act of betrayal on the first three days of Holy Week? Would it not be better and far more devotional for the Church to center her and our attention on Christ, on his love for us, on his incomparable love for us: his laying down his life for his friends? But no-the Church, year after year, comes back during the first three days of Holy Week to Judas and his act of betrayal. Why?
It seems as though the Church down through the ages has been struggling and struggles still, to understand. How could it be possible that a man chosen by Jesus, loved by Jesus, invited by him into the intimacy of his fellowship would turn on Jesus and betray him? How? Why?
The answer to this question will not be found by analyzing, meditating on, poring over the Gospel texts. The answer is not written there. It is written within us, in our hearts.
For we, too, have been called by Jesus, loved and redeemed by him, admitted into intimate association with him through prayer and the sacraments. And yet, we allow the attraction of material things, of wealth, of power, of pleasure, of good living, lead us into compromises with and even betrayal of Jesus’ principles and ideals.
Perhaps this is why the Church focuses on the tragedy of Judas early in Holy Week: to lead us to look at the Judas within us. We might then be able to exorcise this Judas, by expressing sorrow and seeking forgiveness. If we do go through this process of conversion early in Holy Week, we will be able to accompany the Lord with greater sympathy and empathy, as we relive his passion and resurrection once again this year.
