I will go to Mass tonight.
Yesterday I sat at a meeting at work, surrounded by people coughing. I woke this morning with a sore throat and stuffed up head. I don't want to be sick. But if that is what is to be, I will offer it up. It is such a small thing.
"The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born." Matthew 26:24
I struggle to understand how it would have been better for that man not to have been born. At one time I thought Judas' crime was so great that his punishment was to be eternal (hence better not to have been born). But I am not so sure now. I have pondered that perhaps he had a change of heart and returned to His Majesty as we all hopefully do.
ReplyDeletePaul, he did committ suicide, and therefore he lost hope in Christ. If Judas had asked for forgiveness he would have received it.
ReplyDeleteNonetheless, as a universalist, I believe he will be eventually forgiven in the long stretch of eternity. That's not Catholic teaching, or even Biblical, but it's one of those out of the mainstream beliefs I hold.
Happy Holy Wednesday to all!
I do believe it would have been better for him if he had never been born. He betrayed Jesus, he hanged himself, his name is accursed forever.
ReplyDeleteManny,
ReplyDeleteI was pondering Matthew 27:3-4
"When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
I know some argue that this remorse was only out of fear and that Judas was not saved. But I think we have two distinct oral traditions eventually written down on this one.
I have thought so much about Judas during my lifetime. There was a time when I thought he was only playing out a role that someone had to. But I have changed my mind.
ReplyDeleteI cannot know the mind of God, so I don't know if he was forgiven. I just know that of all the people in the Bible, I would least like to be him - or like him.
"When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
ReplyDeleteNo matter how often I read the bible, it's amazing how I can miss things. I had never caught the word "remorse" before. Or at least it never resonated. Thanks a bunch Paul. It does open up for new meanings. But unfortunately he did commit suicide, and though it's not mentioned, that does signify he lost hope at some point after that.
Mary-C - As I understand Catholic teaching, one can commit any sin, no matter how heinous, and if one is truly remorseful and embraces Christ, it will be forgiven.
Manny, I really don't know the disposition of Judas' soul. I just wouldn't want to be him. I think the suicide speaks volumes about whether or not he was embracing Christ.
ReplyDeletePeter denied Christ and didn't go off and hang himself. He redeemed himself and became the rock upon which Jesus built his church.