The Price of Hope
Yesterday, we continued the story of the Last Supper according to John in the Gospel reading. John’s Gospel account of the Last Supper is unique since he does not give us the story of what happens, but instead the discourse of Jesus’ last true teaching to his followers. Today’s Gospel centers on the beginning of this meal and the events that actually occurred according to Matthew, the last before we begin the Triduum and commemorate the Last Supper itself for Holy Thursday. This meal, which was done according to the ritual of Passover, was a moment when Christ could spend one last moment with his most trusted followers. On his last night, Christ chose to spend it with friends, celebrating the most important feast of the Jewish faith, giving them one last instruction, and instituting the greatest gift humanity has ever received - the Eucharist.
Judas betrayed Jesus on this night for 30 pieces of silver. He accepted this price and, according to Matthew, went to the Last Supper knowing he would hand Christ over that night. Judas may have received 30 pieces of silver, but this night cost him far more than he gained. While the other eleven received with full appreciation the greatest gift of the Eucharist for the first time, Judas was focused instead on his betrayal. While Christ spent one last night in the presence of his closest friends, Judas ignored this friendship and instead focused on the task he was paid to do. Instead of celebrating the Passover meal and remembering God delivering Israel from the hands of Egypt, Judas instead planned on delivering Christ into the hands of his enemies. The focus in this Gospel depiction of the Passover meal focuses on Judas since he initiated the events that led to Jesus’ arrest, but within the text we can instead shift our attention to the other disciples in attendance. They intently focused on the rituals of the meal, they appreciated these final moments with their master and friend, and they accepted the Eucharist for the first time so that they could pass it on to the rest of the Church. None of them were perfect, and just because they were not in the same position as Judas in this moment does not mean that they wouldn’t abandon Christ later on that night in his time of most need. They were all equally sinners who had the capacity to personally hurt Christ, and they knew it. Like Judas, they responded to Christ’s revelation of betrayal with the same line, “Surely it is not I.” But the distress they all felt indicated that they all interiorly understood that they had the capacity to betray him, as well.
Judas can teach us the errors we are capable of committing, even if our past is good and blessed. The other Apostles can teach us that we should acknowledge our capacity for something so reprehensible as denying Christ regardless of how good we have been. Tragically, Judas sold his privileged place among Christ’s chosen for 30 pieces of silver. But it also cost him his sense of hope. The others were equally guilty of abandoning Christ in his time of need, but their remorse led to hope, and this hope led to forgiveness. In the end, they paid the ultimate cost for the sake of Christ when they eventually went to their deaths for him. The events of Christ’s last night on earth teaches us one more valuable lesson: there is hope in the midst of this darkness, and this hope can empower us through any darkness we may face in the future. Regardless of our past, we must hold onto it for our futures.
Today's Readings:
