23 March 2016
Wednesday of Holy Week
Love requires that our hearts be open, which means they can be open to being hurt. If we let someone become close to us, that person can hurt us. Yet, if we keep someone far, it becomes more and more difficult to show them our love. Love needs to be close, and hence vulnerable.
Christ let Judas into his most intimate circle of disciples. He chose the Iscariot as one of the twelve apostles. Jesus opened his heart to his friends. Yet, Judas did not open his heart to Christ. Seeking the protection that money and powerful allies can give, he asked the chief priests, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” (Mt 26:15) ‘What do you want to give me?’ ‘What will you do for me?’ The questions of one who senses a deep need, but does not recognize that it is a need for love.
In contrast we see the other disciples approach Jesus, not for money or worldly power (because Jesus didn’t have much to give anyway), but looking for ways to serve him, to offer him some proof of their love. “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” (Mt 26:17) ‘How do you want us to serve you?’ ‘What do you desire, Lord?’ These are questions of those who are trying to follow Jesus, who “emptied himself” (Phil 2:7). Let us pray for the grace to recognize our need for Christ’s love and to seek to have that need met only by following Him more closely.