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Mark 14:10-11
Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray [Jesus] to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

To ponder
The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ … Everyone! “Father, the atheists?” Even the atheists. Everyone! And this Blood makes us children of God of the first class! We are created children in the likeness of God, and the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all! - Pope Francis, “Pope at Mass”

Crooked lines
History hasn’t been kind to Judas. His name is synonymous with betrayal for turning against the one truly good soul we’ve ever known. What did he want and what was he thinking as he snuck around, looking for the right moment to hand Jesus over to his enemies? Some evidence suggests he was dishonest and greedy, selling out for a few filthy bucks. Scholars suggest he became disenchanted, disappointed that Jesus hadn’t started a revolution to usher in a new world. Maybe Judas thought he was lighting a fuse to ignite the conflict that would make Jesus king.

The older I get, the more likely I am to cut Judas a bit of slack, knowing my own mixed motives. I mean, when are our hearts utterly pure, untainted by self-interest? The good new is that ultimately even this doesn’t matter, because God works with crooked lines - even with crooked people. Whatever Judas’ motives, or ours, God doesn’t hesitate using even our foulest acts to get what the divine heart wants - life, forgiveness, and blessing, even for confused and conflicted people. Pity Judas didn’t stick around long enough to see that there was still room in God’s great heart for him.

Prayer

Gracious God, use the best and the worst of what we do to accomplish your loving purpose. Amen.

(from: “A Story to Tell: Devotions for Lent” Bekki Lohrmann, Harvard Stephens Jr., Lydia Posselt, David L. Miller; Augsburg Fortress, 2020)

 

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