The WORD in Other Words by Fr Gerry Paat SVD (Philippines) for Holy Wednesday
Traditionally, today is considered Spy Wednesday. We heard in today’s Gospel the connivance of Judas Iscariot with the chief priests. How could a considered friend of Jesus, who had witnessed and tasted all His goodness and kindness, betray Him? Absurd but real. As the old adage goes, “People are people.”
But least we think only of Judas Iscariot as the betrayer, we can only strike our breast because we are no more than Judas Iscariot.
First,if we are only paying lip service to His teachings, we are still betraying Jesus. A church goer, listening to a priest’s homily, affirmed every word he heard until the priest said, “Those who are involved in graft and corruption, amend your life. Stop stealing.” The church goer complained, “Father, that is too much. You are already meddling with my personal life”. We have heard the beautiful teachings of Jesus. But are we putting them into practice?
Second, when we are neglecting the needs and pleas of our needy brothers and sisters,we are still betraying Jesus. As Jesus said, whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters that you do unto me (Mt. 25: 40,45). We automatically say that we love God but when we are confronted with the needs of our brothers and sisters, we have all the alibis fornot attending to their needs.
Third, if we are not bearing good fruits in our Christian life, we are still betraying Jesus. Nominal Christians are plenty; true and productive Christians are only a few. Christianity is meant to bear good fruits. As Albert Saldajeño, our Theater Arts facilitator in the Inter-congregational Postulancy Program, would always remind us, ‘Show; don’t tell!’. Let our actions show that we are indeed true Christians.
Source – The WORD in Other Words, Bible Diary 2020
