Daily Gospel Reflection
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April 8, 2020
One of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My appointed time draws near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.
When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?”
He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.”
Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”
When have I been betrayed? When have I betrayed someone?
These are difficult questions to ask, and equally difficult to answer.
Jesus quizzes his disciples with this weighty statement: “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” It caught the disciples off-guard.
If I were one of the 12 disciples, I would have questioned myself: What did I do? What didn’t I do? What did I say? I imagine fear, doubt and distrust entered the room.
Betrayal diminishes our lives of trust, love, and compassion.
Moments of betrayal occur within our family and school relationships, our employer relationships or in our relationship with our church. Sometimes, our lives seem full of these challenges. How do we react? Do we retaliate? Do we walk away? Can we find the best in ourselves to help us forgive?
The mere mention of being betrayed created a wound that penetrated the disciples to their core. But Jesus didn’t banish Judas from the table. He gave the disciples an opportunity to witness their commitment. And instead of condemning Judas, he responded with a love greater than betrayal. In the very next passage from Matthew, during the Last Supper, Jesus speaks to the forgiveness of sins and to sharing in the Father’s Kingdom.
We are called, in the name of Jesus and our Father, to continue, no matter how difficult, to offer our commitment of love and faithfulness.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you have prepared a seat for us at your banquet. Grant us the grace to live according to your loving commands and never betray the gifts you have poured upon us. We ask this through your most holy name, as you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Though St. Walter of Pontoise did not want to be in the public eye and longed for a life of solitude, he could not escape the leadership roles to which he was called.
He lived in 11th century France and was a professor of philosophy before joining a community of Benedictine monks. Because of his intellect, the king asked him to serve as the first abbot of a new monastery in Pontoise.
He was fearless in speaking to those in power, which made him rise in their estimation. The honor that he received from executing his position well made him anxious. He had always desired a life of silence and prayer, so he fled to a distant monastery, hoping to escape his responsibilities. His monks found him, though, and brought him back.
He tried a number of other escapes as well—he tried to live in solitude on an island but was found, and a pilgrim recognized him when he attempted to hide in another, different monastery after that.
Walter eventually appealed to the pope himself, asking to be relieved of his duties. The pope told him to make good use of the talents God had given him and told him to never leave again. Walter took that as a definitive answer and gave up on looking for a way out of his public ministry.
He spoke out against priests who abused their positions and faced angry opposition. He was even seized, beaten, and thrown into prison at one point—the monks of his community had him released.
As he aged, he increased his devotions and disciplines. It is said that he rarely sat down while praying in church—he would lean on his staff instead. He would often be the last man to leave the monk’s night prayer, lost in contemplation, and sometimes would fall asleep there to be discovered in the morning in a heap on the floor.
St. Walter died on this date in 1095, which happened to be Good Friday. He is a patron saint of prisoners, and of those who experience job-related stress.
The chapel in Duncan Hall, a men's hall on Notre Dame's campus, is named after St. Walter of Pontoise, a designation that is marked with this plaque that stands near its door.
St. Walter of Pontoise, patron saint of those who suffer from job-related stress—pray for us!
Image credit: This icon comes from St. Walter Pontoise Parish in Roselle, Illinois.