Lessons from Judas Iscariot

[M-Dent]

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?”

–

He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.”

Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”

Matt 26

One can draw from this that the Apostles had a relationship they cared deeply about. They also displayed recognition of Jesus as Lord (Adonai).

The reply of Judas leaves us to discern something different. He failed to view Jesus beyond a human teacher. Not much different that any other Rabbi.

Also

He is therefore a figure belonging to the group of those whom Jesus had chosen as strict companions and collaborators. This brings with it two questions in the attempt to provide an explanation for what happened.

The first consists in asking how is it that Jesus had chosen this man and trusted him. In fact, although Judas is the group’s bursar (cf Jn 12,6 Jn 13,29), in reality he is called a “thief” (Jn 12,6).

The mystery of the choice remains, all the more since Jesus pronounces a very severe judgement on him: “Woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed!” (Mt 26,24).

What is more, it darkens the mystery around his eternal fate, knowing that Judas "repented and brought back the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood’” (Mt 27,3-4). Even though he went to hang himself (cf. Mt Mt 27,5), it is not up to us to judge his gesture, substituting ourselves for the infinitely merciful and just God.

A second question deals with the motive of Judas’ behaviour: why does he betray Jesus? The question raises several theories. Some refer to the fact of his greed for money; others hold to an explanation of a messianic order: Judas would have been disappointed at seeing that Jesus did not fit into his programme for the political-militaristic liberation of his own nation.

In fact, the Gospel texts insist on another aspect: John expressly says that “the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him” (Jn 13,2). Analogously, Luke writes: “Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve” (Lc 22,3).

In this way, one moves beyond historical motivations and explanations based on the personal responsibility of Judas, who shamefully ceded to a temptation of the Evil One.

The betrayal of Judas remains, in any case, a mystery. Jesus treated him as a friend (cf. Mt Mt 26,50); however, in his invitations to follow him along the way of the beatitudes, he does not force his will or protect it from the temptations of Satan, respecting human freedom.

In effect, the possibilities to pervert the human heart are truly many. The only way to prevent it consists in not cultivating an individualistic, autonomous vision of things, but on the contrary, by putting oneself always on the side of Jesus, assuming his point of view. We must daily seek to build full communion with him.

Let us remember that Peter also wanted to oppose him and what awaited him at Jerusalem, but he received a very strong reproval: “You are not on the side of God, but of men” (Mc 8,33)!

After his fall Peter repented and found pardon and grace. Judas also repented, but his repentance degenerated into desperation and thus became self-destructive.

BENEDICT XVI
GENERAL AUDIENCE OCT 2006

The explanation in the bolded text always made sense to me. Judas was far too open to evil. I do agree with the Holy Father that an extreme “individualistic, autonomous vision of things” can lead to utter disaster.

Thoughts or comments?

 

[MarcoPolo]

One of the things I think of relating to Judas is that he betrayed Christ, and yet he was hand-selected by Christ as an Apostle. Essentially, 8% of the Apostles were traitors. The silver lining in that sad anecdote is that when we are scandalized by a small fraction of clergy, we needn’t lose heart.

 

[Salvatore123]

Marco,

One might legitimately argue that 11 Apostles “abandoned” (in one form - Judas - or another - Peter - or another - running away) Christ, whereas only one was with him when he died: St. John.

 

[MarcoPolo]

Marco,

One might legitimately argue that 11 Apostles “abandoned” (in one form - Judas - or another - Peter - or another - running away) Christ, whereas only one was with him when he died: St. John.

Indeed. Another facet of the same truth.

 

[M-Dent]

One might legitimately argue that 11 Apostles “abandoned” (in one form - Judas - or another - Peter - or another - running away) Christ, whereas only one was with him when he died: St. John.

It is interesting that tradition holds only John died died of natural causes.

All the other Apostles suffered martyrdom (except Judas) – so it’s possible to argue that only one may have truly “abandoned” Christ? The one John noted as a thief.

Son of Simon, the only Apostle who did not come from Galilee. His special interest was money, so he was in charge of the common fund of the Apostles (John 13:29). It was an unfortunate assignment, according to John. He referred to Judas as “a thief. . . who used to help himself to the contributions” (John 12:6). Moreover, Judas remonstrated sharply with Jesus for allowing Mary Magdalene to anoint his feet with a costly ointment, arguing that the money should have gone to the poor (John 12:1-8).

From Fr. John Hardon’s Modern Catholic Dictionary

 

[M-Dent]

Pope Benedict XVI’s recent Angelus.

Finally, Jesus knew that even among the twelve apostles there was one that did not believe: Judas. Judas could have left, as many of the disciples did; indeed, he would have left if he were honest. Instead he remained with Jesus. He did not remain because of faith, or because of love, but with the secret intention of taking vengeance on the Master. Why? Because Judas felt betrayed by Jesus, and decided that he in turn would betray Him. Judas was a Zealot, and wanted a triumphant Messiah, who would lead a revolt against the Romans. Jesus had disappointed those expectations. The problem is that Judas did not go away, and his most serious fault was falsehood, which is the mark of the devil. This is why Jesus said to the Twelve: “One of you is a devil” (John 6.70)

news.va/en/news/pope-we-understand-because-we-have-believed

 

[johnnyjones]

John 6:4 …and one of you is a devil. The devil entered him.

 

[Nelka]

The difference being is that Judas Iscariot hanged himself as he did not trust in the Mercy of God whereas all the others did.