Holy Wednesday, April 5: “Passion of Betrayal”
Psalm 55: 12-14: “For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, then I could bear it; nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, then I could hide myself from him. But it is you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend; we who had sweet fellowship together walked in the house of God in the throng.”
Which part of Christ’s Passion was the most painful? The crown of thorns? The lashes? The nails? No, what caused Him the most suffering was the kiss of Judas. He knew all along it was coming, yet he knew He could take no steps to avoid it, any more than He could avoid loving His betrayer. No less than He loved all men, He loved Judas, and grieved over His suffering, rather than His own. Christ’s acceptance of the betrayer’s kiss is why we venerate His Passion.
