Glory be to Jesus Christ!
There is a powerful passage from The Lord of the Rings where Frodo, who has been tasked with the mission of delivering the evil Ring to a council, tries to give it to Gandalf. This wise and powerful wizard refuses it however, because he knows its power and his own limits. He knows how much damage the Ring could do through him if he were to use it for evil.
We are given a sobering reminder in our Gospel reading today brothers and sisters. No one is immune to temptation. Judas was called the same way the other disciples were. He as not “above” temptation because of his special relationship with the Lord. When Jesus Himself was tempted we read that “the devil awaited a more opportune time,” and found one through the turning of Judas. Two points need to be understood from our reading:
- If Jesus Himself was tempted everyone will be tempted- including you!
- Judas’ special relationship with our Lord and his betrayal allowed Jesus to be captured and killed. Those who have been gifted or given responsibility can inflict more damage upon the Body of Christ and so must be even more “on guard” against evil influence and temptation. It is for this reason that St. John Chrysostom states that the road to hell is paved with the vestments of priests and bishops!
Let us be on our guard not to betray Him, and if we slip, let us return to Him as Peter did (who also betrayed Him remember). Our Lord took Judas’ betrayal and used it to save the world through His life saving passion. Let us never doubt either our own ability to sin or our Lord’s ability to save us through our repentance!
