Holy Week Reflections- Part 3

Scripture reading: Mark 14:43-50

Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. ⁴⁴Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ ⁴⁵So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. ⁴⁶Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. ⁴⁷But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. ⁴⁸Then Jesus said to them, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? ⁴⁹Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.’ ⁵⁰All of them deserted him and fled. (NRSV)

Reflection:  Love for the friends that desert and betray

Just hours before, Jesus and the disciples had eaten a very special meal together. Jesus washed their feet and taught them how to love each other. He called them his friends.  He also knew that they would betray and desert him. These men who were closer to him than family, these ones  he trusted with his message and teachings, no matter how much they swore they would be at his side and defend him, he knew they would leave.  And they did. Every. Last. one. One of his own even sold him over to death.  Jesus loved them beyond the betrayal, beyond the desertion.  He loved them to the end of this life and beyond.

Jesus calls us friends, not because we have a better track record than the disciples—not because we’re more faithful than they were, for we too betray and desert Jesus for the things in our life that seem more important, or a better use of our time.  Jesus calls us friends and loves us to the end because that’s what love does.  Jesus loved the disciples not for who they were, but for who he was.  Jesus loves us not because of who we are or what we do…he loves us because of who he is.  He is the Son of God. He is love.  This is what Holy love does.

Hymn reflection: Ah, Holy Jesus

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended,
That man to judge Thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by Thine own rejected,
O most afflicted.

Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon Thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee.
’Twas I, Lord, Jesus, I it was denied Thee!
I crucified Thee.

Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;
The slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered;
For man’s atonement, while he nothing heedeth,
God intercedeth.

For me, kind Jesus, was Thy incarnation,
Thy mortal sorrow, and Thy life’s oblation;
Thy death of anguish and Thy bitter passion,
For my salvation.

Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay Thee,
I do adore Thee, and will ever pray Thee,
Think on Thy pity and Thy love unswerving,
Not my deserving.