HOMILY OF TUESDAY OF THE HOLY WEEK
Isaiah 49:1-6, John 13:21-33,36-38
THEME: DINNING WITH THE BETRAYER.
The Lord cannot be deceived. He knows our innermost heart. He knows all that we do, both in the open and in secret. The Lord knows our capability regarding whatever promises we make to him.
In today’s gospel according to John, his disciples were not sure who was going to betray him when he said, “One of you will betray me.” They began to ask among themselves who could it be. They didn’t know who among them would perform this treacherous act even when he has given them clues.
‘It is the one’ replied Jesus ‘to whom I give the piece of bread that I shall dip in the dish.’ He dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.” The moment Satan entered Judas and he left, they didn’t know his real intention. He must have been a master schemer. He was so perfect in the art of pretense that his fellow disciples could not know his true character. Our life in Jesus is not an outward show. It is a life of undivided loyalty.
We should know that Christianity is more than taking calculated steps and making angular movement around lighted candles. Christianity is not about reciting beautiful verses about the personality of the Jewish Messiah. It is a life lived in the street, following the steps of a God who came to live among men. It is all about sincere loyalty to Jesus who came to lay his life for us.
Although we may not be too sure of our promised allegiance to God, we are better off when we follow him with sincerity of heart. The purity of our intention puts us in the right position to enjoy his beautiful presence.
May the love of God pour into our heart that we may always be true to our identity as his followers. Amen.
