Gospel Reading: Jn 13:21-33, 36-38
Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” … One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him, “Master, who is it?”
Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. After he took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” … So he took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.
When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.”
Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”
REFLECTION
At table with his disciples
The Last Supper scene of Jesus and his disciples suggests many reflections. It is to be Jesus last meal with his close disciples; after this meal, they will be scattered. Unlike us, of course, the disciples do not realize that this is their last meal with their Master.
As it turns out, Jesus announces that he will be betrayed by one of them. Moreover, he predicts that Peter – for all his protestations of fidelity and laying down his life – will also fall away.
Among friends, to be betrayed or handed over and disowned is very tragic. Questions arise: What has gone wrong with the friendship? Why did it end up that way?
Friendship – close friendship, especially – is one of the most personal and profound experiences one can have with other human beings. When this bond is broken because of betrayal, the effect can be devastating on the parties. This happens to the disciples of Jesus. But Jesus’ faithful love for them will teach them to rise from their weaknesses.
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