Tuesday of Holy Week, April 3,2007

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-6. Psalm 71:1-6,15-17. John 13:21-33,36-38.
Lectionry # 259

We are led by John the Evangelist into the most intimate scene of Jesus'
love for his disciples. It is the day before the Passover and Jesus
gathers the apostles and gives them the assurance of his great love. He
speaks of his last will and testament for them so that they too may be sent
as he was sent to be the Apostle of the Father. Chapter 13:1 is one of the
most beautiful verses in the whole of the Bible and it is the preface to
what Jesus' priestly prayer and last discourse is all about: "Before the
Feast of the Passover began, Jesus knew that his "hour" had come for him to
pass from this world to the Father. He loved those who were his own, whom
he would leave in the world, he would give them the greatest proof of his
love." Since the hour is his suffering, death, and resurrection in this
Gospel, Jesus now assures the disciples that his love will sustain them
through this sorrowful time and through the trials they will go through
because of their love for him. There is already sorrow present for Judas
is about to leave and betray Jesus to the religious authorities for thirty
pieces of silver. This was already foretold by the Evangelist in chapter
twelve and now it is dramatically described as one of Jesus' beloved ones
is about to "hand him over" to the authorities. John climaxes the event by
saying, "And it was night!" (chapter 13:30, perhaps, the shortest sentence
in the original Koine Greek of the Fourth Gospel). Judas has allowed Satan
to enter his heart while losing the love of Jesus's heart. The Prince of
Darkness, Satan, now has his hour as Judas departs. Judas is no longer in
the community of the apostles and has a tragic end whether by accident or
by suicide.(There are two traditions about his death). The priestly prayer
of Jesus (chapters 13-17) is very helpful as we come to the end of Lent. I
think this is the best way to prepare for the Triduum of Holy Thursday,
Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil, namely, by reading and reflecting on the
last discourse of Jesus. We too are among the intimate friends of Jesus
and we need to hear him telling us about his love and assurance of being
with us in our own journey to the Father. Greater love than this does no
one have than to lay down one's life for one's friends. Amen.