A Lenten Word - Betray

Homily for Tuesday of Holy Week

A Lenten Word – Betray

“Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me’" (John 13:21bc).

The word “betray” is an ugly word. One cannot be betrayed by an acquaintance. Betrayal can only come at the hand of a trusted friend or someone who has a bond of intimacy with the victim such as a parent or teacher. Is it any wonder that Jesus was deeply troubled by the fact that one of his disciples was about to betray him?

Betrayal happens in many different ways. Sometimes it takes the form of sharing confidential information. Sometimes, as was the case in the betrayal of Jesus, it occurs when one hands over a person to his or her enemies. Betrayal can happen when one abandons another person.

When we speak of the mental anguish that accompanied the physical torture that Jesus endured, some have said that his betrayal by Judas and the rest of the Twelve was far more devastating than the physical pain he endured.

As we go through this day, let us consider this aspect of Jesus’ passion and death. Jesus voices his mental anguish from the cross when he quotes Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Psalm 22:2a).