Tuesday 31^st March – Tuesday of Holy Week

Reflection: John 13: 21-33, 36-38

BETRAYAL

Have you ever been betrayed by a loved one? If you have, you will possible know a bit of the distress of the heart of our blessed Saviour as He declared to His disciples His imminent betrayal by one of them. I say a bit because the hurt of betrayal is in proportion to the degree of intimacy and love that exists between the betrayed and the betrayer. Married couples can easily attest to this. However, what bond or love of ours can be compared to the one our Lord Jesus Christ has with disciples?

As we have read of Judas’ betrayal of the divine Master, may we ask ourselves in what ways we are betraying the love and trust of those around us. How much can you be trusted dear friend; how much can people confide in you? Are you the type that lets loose of things you are told in confidence simply because of a little misunderstanding between you and your friend? Dependability is a quality that is becoming rare in our time even amongst professed Christian. The spate of infidelity amongst married and intending couples; inconsistency in the polity and the unending division in the body of Christ practically illustrate this. As a youth, are you betraying the trust of your parents? Do you cook up lies for monetary or social gains?

Dear friend, much as there are consequences for the betrayal of the love and trust of our fellow human beings, of weightier consequence is the betrayal of the incomparable love of our Redeemer. It was for our love that He was crucified. Having professed our love and allegiance to Him, shall we then continue to betray His love and injure His sacred heart through deliberate acts of sin? To do such is to work as the enemy of the cross of Christ to which St Paul declared a destructive end (Phil 3: 17-19). Please let us beware of this!

PRAYER: Oh Lord! Please grant me a true and loyal heart. One that is forever faithful to You and protects the trust and love of those around me. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 456 – What should you do if you have lied to, deceived, or betrayed someone?

Every offense against truth and justice, even if it has been forgiven, demands reparation.If one cannot make amends publicly for a lie or false testimony, one must at least do whatever one can secretly. If one cannot compensate the injured party directly for the wrong, one is obliged in conscience to give him moral satisfaction, in other words, one must do his best so as to make at least symbolic reparation.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death?” Romans 8:35 GNB

Today’s Readings: Isaiah 49: 1-6; Psalm 71: 1-6, 15, 17; John 13: 21-33, 36-38