Unconditional Mercy and Love

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator

Both yesterday and today, the Gospel text for our liturgy has focused on Judas Iscariot. In some cultures, these days are called "Spy Tuesday" or "Spy Wednesday," characterizing Judas as an infiltrator with the express purpose of exposing Jesus to the treachery of the Pharisees and chief priests of Israel. While there is no denying that Judas acted abominably, I believe it is important to remember that his sin was one of commission while the other apostles were guilty of a sin of omission. Indeed, all of the disciples, even the Beloved Disciple, abandoned Jesus in his hour of need. The only difference between Judas and the rest of the disciples is that he was not capable of accepting God's forgiveness. All of the others, especially Peter, realized that they had sinned; but they also realized that God's mercy was theirs to claim.

God's mercy is unconditional. Perhaps this is why it is so hard for human beings to truly believe in it. We are incapable of such love. I am sure that all of us were schooled in the same religious practice of ending our confession with the words: "For these and all the sins of my past life, I am truly sorry." It is almost as if we are unable to shake the dust from our feet after walking through the desert. Metaphorically speaking, I believe that this is why the Israelites had to enter the Promised Land by wading through the Jordan River after spending forty years in the desert. God wanted them to leave the dust of their past lives behind them. However, their human weakness made it very difficult to let go of the past, just as we find it difficult to do so as well.

As we enter into the final full day of Lent and approach the Triduum, the sacred three days, our journey has brought us back to the place of our beginning, the baptismal font. For the next few days, it will be dry, the proverbial empty cistern of Isaiah. However, on Saturday night we will bless water; we will baptize the catechumens; and we will use the water to remind ourselves that we have been forgiven. God has washed away our sins and clothed us in a robe of light. May we keep that light burning throughout our lives.