Gospel Reading: Jn 13:16-20
When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me. From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
Reflections Raised His Heel Against Me
Christians will always remember that of the Twelve (Apostles) chosen by Jesus to be the pillars or foundation of the “new Israel,” there was one who abandoned the ministry. In the list of the Twelve, Judas Iscariot always appears last, and with the tag: “who betrayed him” (Mk 3:19; Mt 10:4; Lk 6:16).
Here, at the Last Supper, Jesus reveals that he knows that one of the disciples will betray him. He expresses his anguish and feeling of frustration by quoting Scripture: “The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me” (cf Ps 41:10). This is part of the passage about a false friend who, when he visits, speaks without sincerity, and when he leaves, gossips about his host. The psalm, traditionally attributed to David, is now fulfilled in Jesus, the son of David. This happens in Jesus’ betrayal, passion, and death. Yet, even this betrayal fulfills the Scripture, that is, it is part of God’s workings for the salvation of the world.
Indeed, the disciples are weak and frail – and one of them is disclosed as a would-be betrayer. Yet it is they whom Jesus has chosen. They in turn will have to choose whether to remain with Jesus, or leave him, or even betray him.
* * *
Have you experienced the pain of betrayal? How did you overcome it and decide to move on?
* * *
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.