Divine love, keeps Christ going on his journey

Readings: 1^st: Is 50:4-9; Ps: 69; Gos: Mt 26:14-25

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working with the Spiritan International Group of Puerto Rico &  Dominican Republic. He is the Administrator of Parroquia La Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Chancellor of the Diocesis of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, cancilleriadfh@gmail.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today is the fourth day of Holy Week. Yesterday the Gospel spoke of the betrayal of Judas and of the denial of Peter. Today, it speaks once again of the betrayal of Judas. In the description of the Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, the failure of the disciples is strongly stressed.

In spite of having lived three years with Jesus, not one of them defended Jesus. Judas betrays Him, Peter denies Him, and the others flee. Matthew narrates everything not to discourage us, but to demonstrate that, the love of Jesus is stronger than the defeat and the failure of the disciples

This way of describing the attitude of Jesus was a help for the communities at the time of Matthew. Because of the frequent tribulations like the ones we are passing through, many were discouraged and abandoned the community.

Therefore, today’s gospel reminds us that, as human beings, we can break our relationship with Christ, but Christ never breaks it with us. His love is greater than our infidelity. He accepted his fate. He does not retaliate, no matter how shamefully he was treated. Divine love, keeps him going.

Today we may blame Judas who betrayed Christ for only thirty silver coins, or Peter who denied him because of the fear of the Jews. However, the question is, how many times have we betrayed him who loved us so much? How many times have we denied Christ through our words, actions and unbelief?

So, this Holy Week, we are invited in our prayer in the Passion to see how divinity hides itself. The Christ suffering, is God who still suffers the pain, injustices, greed and betrayal of his people today.

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!