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From the Pastor& Long, long ago, or so I've been told,
Two saints, they met on the streets paved with gold.
"By the stars on your crown," said the one to the other,
"I see that on earth you, too, were a mother.
And by the blue tinted halo, I see that you wear,
You, too, have known sorrow and deepest despair."
"Ah, yes," came the answer, "I once had a son.
A sweet little lad, full of laughter and fun."
"But, tell of your child!"
"Oh, I knew I was blest,
The first moment I held Him, close to my breast;
And my heart almost burst with the joy of that day."
"Ah, yes," sighed the other, "I felt the same way."
The former continued, "The first steps he took--
So eager and breathless--the sweet startled look
Which came over his face--he trusted me so."
"Ah, yes," sighed the other, "how well do I know."
"But soon he had grown to a bright handsome boy,
So stalwart and kind, and it gave me such joy
To have him just walk down the street by my side."
"Ah, yes," sighed the other, "I felt the same pride."
"How often I shielded and spared him from pain,
And when He for others was so cruelly slain,
When they crucified Him and spat in His face,
I would have gladly taken his place!"
A moment of silence, "Oh, then you are she?
The Mother of Christ!" and she fell on one knee.
But the blessed one raised her and drew her so near
And kissed from the face of the woman, a tear.
"Please tell me the name of the son you loved so,
That I may share, your grief and woe!"
She lifted her eyes, looking straight at the other,
"He was Judas Iscariot, and I am his mother."
Author Unknown
Judas Iscariot! What can we learn from this disciple of Jesus? Was he history's greatest villain? Did he have a choice? Did he grow up in poverty; were his parents disinterested in him; did he have childhood friends; what did Jesus see in Judas Iscariot when he called him to follow him? None of us makes the decisions that we do in a vacuum. Our families and environment are great influences in our lives. But no one can take away our ability to choose how we respond to our circumstances. Two children can grow up in the same family: one turns out to be a saint and the other one in a notorious sinner. Choices, decisions!
We reap what we sow. Just as we are products of our past, we are also graduates of our choices, decisions. Do you date someone because of their body or because of their character? (Parents: this would be a good conversation with your teens and children.) Do you decide to raise your children in the faith community by making the Lord's Day holy with attendance at Mass and family prayer, or is Sunday an organized sports day, shopping day, without prayer? Choices! Decisions!
Was Judas impatient with the Master's time line? Did he want the Kingdom of God established yesterday? Are we patient with God in our lives? Are we patient and understanding with all the imperfections of family members, co-workers, neighbors, friends, the people in line at Cub or Byerly's? Do we realize that waiting can be miserable, but we can decide how we are going to wait?
Judas was upset with the woman who anointed Jesus' feet with costly perfume (John 12:3-5). What about the poor, he complained. Do we believe that the end never justifies the means? Do we look for new ways to help our children and the poor without betraying our beliefs and friends and our God?
Was it all about the money? Thirty pieces of silver wouldn't buy much. Would we ever betray a friend for personal gain? Do your children understand that friendship is more important than money?
We don't know why Judas betrayed his friend. But we do know one thing for sure: there was room for him at the cross. All he had to do was return to Jesus. He didn't have to kill himself. He betrayed Jesus with a kiss of death. But Jesus was waiting for him to come back so he could give Judas a kiss of life.
What can we learn from Judas about our own relationship with Jesus Christ? There is always room for you here as we grow and change as His disciples and friends.
Happy Holy Week,
Fr. Bill
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