Day 103: Judas' Secrecy

Today's readings: John 13-15 and Proverbs 6:6-11.

I. John 13 begins with Jesus washing the feet of the Apostles at the Last Supper. He then foretells His betrayal by Judas Iscariot, as we know afterward. He gives the remaining Apostles, after Judas had left, a new commandment. The chapter ends with Jesus foretelling Peter's denial of Him. This is now known as Maundy Thursday, which begins the Paschal Triduum.

In the next chapter, Jesus teaches them that He is the way to the Father. Right after the confusing foretelling of betrayal by one of them, Judas's leaving for some reason, and Jesus predicting Peter's denial of Him, this must have been a relief to the Apostles, but also overwhelming too. The chapter ends with Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit.

John 15 begins with Jesus teaching that He is the vine and we are the branches as His followers. The world's hatred of the Gospel and believers is told by Jesus.

The BIY Companion, Vol I, has some good commentary on this:

Jesus promises his apostles that he will prepare a place for them and send the Holy Spirit. These are the arms of the Father reaching out to embrace us, one arm being the Son and the other being the Holy Spirit. We have the choice of whether or not we want to live in that embrace. God says we can do nothing without him. In him, though, we can do all things. In all of our struggles, we are called to abide in the heart of Jesus. In our weakness, we might betray the love of Jesus, like Judas, or deny him in our actions, like Peter. When we find ourselves betraying or denying the Lord, we need to seek his forgiveness and ask for the grace that will bring us back to him. (p. 220)

II. Proverbs 6:6-11 advises young men to steer clear of laziness.

That's it for today!