Tuesday of the Passion Week – 30th March 2021 – John 13,21-33.36-38
Night of Gloom and Remorse
As Jesus gathers together with his closest disciples for the Last Supper, He is moved with the greatest emotions. He realizes that He is about to be betrayed by one of His chosen ones. During the Supper Jesus makes his feelings known. When Jesus gave the bread to Judas, it was interpreted as an act of love and honour. In fact, Judas was seated at the place of honour, so Jesus’ actions were seen as a token of special favour. Jesus then dismisses Judas to do what he is going to do and do it quickly. Since Judas was the treasurer, it was logical for the disciples to conclude that He had been sent out on a special mission by Jesus. Earlier Judas expressed an interest in the poor (Jn 12,4-6), so perhaps he was on a task of mercy to help the poor. However, it is interesting to note that once Judas leaves, it is night. It was not only night in literal sense, but it was night spiritually for Judas – a night of gloom and remorse that would never end. The phrase “and it was night” carries a tremendous impact and brings to memory that light and darkness are important contrasting spiritual images in John’s gospel. Jesus is the light of the world (Jn 8,12), but Judas rejected Jesus and went out into darkness, and for Judas, it is still night. It is always night when men turn their backs on the Saviour. In fact, Judas fulfills what was already said by Jesus ‘Those who do evil hate the light’ (Jn 3,18-21). Judas was out in the night, controlled by the prince of darkness, Satan, but Jesus was in the light, sharing love and truth with His beloved disciples. The light of Jesus is more powerful than darkness.
