March 26, 2024
Today’s gospel:
John 13:21-33,36-38
During the last supper, Jesus, deeply disturbed, told his disciples that one of them was going to betray him. Asked who it was, Jesus said, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” (v.26a). He then dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas.
Which came first, the consecration of the bread and wine or the announcement of the betrayal? According to Matthew and Mark, first was the announcement and then the consecration. According to Luke, first was the consecration and then the announcement. Whatever it was, both were on the occasion of the Last Supper, when the Eucharist was instituted.
There are some significant things here.
First, among the apostles chosen by Jesus himself, and now at the table of the Eucharist with him, was a betrayer. Just because we go to Mass and partake of the Eucharist does not necessarily mean that we are right with God. Many do so unworthily.
Second, Jesus himself gave the morsel to Judas. Jesus gives totally of himself. Tragically, many who receive Communion are not fully aware of what this self-giving truly is. It is the greatest gift ever. It is love, grace and strength being bestowed upon us. If only we knew, we would strive to be more worthy, more reverent, more expectant.
Third, Satan entered Judas after he took the morsel (v.27a). Satan is totally against God, and will do everything to keep us off track in our life in Christ. Even as we participate in the highest form of worship and receive Jesus himself, all the more Satan will seek to derail us. We must always be vigilant. We must affirm the lordship of Jesus and our decision to live our lives for him.
Fourth, after Judas took the morsel and left quickly after that, the gospel says, “And it was night.” (v.30). At Mass and with Communion, we are with Jesus, the light of the world. But the world out there is in the darkness of sin. All the more, we need to grace and strength that the Eucharist provides. All the more, we must cling to Christ.
Fifth, when Jesus told his disciples that one of them would betray him, they “looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant.” (v.22). In Matthew it says that they said to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” (Mt 26:22). We may be quick to dismiss our own sins, and see just the shortcomings of others. But in the Eucharist, we must look to how we ourselves have failed Jesus. This is why at the very start of the Mass, we confess our sins. Thatwe have greatly sinned. With sins of commission and omission. We do not excuse ourselves, admitting our own fault, our most grievous fault. We must come before Jesus in humility and repentance.
Finally, while we should profess our loyalty to Jesus and the turning of our lives over to him, we must not do so lightly. The authentic Christian life is hard, as it is embrace of the cross. Peter told Jesus that he would lay down his life for him, but a short time later denied him three times (v.37-38).
How wonderful the Eucharist is! Jesus says that whoever eats the living bread, which is his flesh, will live forever (Jn 6:51). The Eucharist is key to our making it to heaven. At the Last Supper, Jesus told his disciples that they could not go where he was going (v.36). Not now, but later. Now we continue to live in a valley of tears. But with the Eucharist, later we will make it to eternal life in heaven.
A final word. The Eucharist is a memorial of the sacrificial suffering and death of Jesus. He went to the cross for us. He went first, and we are to follow. We are to embrace the cross of Christ. This may be the many small crosses in life, or it could be the ultimate cross of martyrdom. Peter went there. Martyrs throughout the ages have gone there. For those called, it is the Eucharist that will sustain and strengthen them.
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