Forgiven Betrayal

Lent, Tuesday of Holy Week – Is 49:1-6; Ps 71: 1-4a,5-6ab,15,17; John 13:21-33,36-38

“I am honoured in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength” (Is 49).

The Passion of Jesus is made even more moving by the betrayal of those closest to Him, by loneliness, abandonment, and silence. It could seem wasted. After all, the ones who failed Him were His own disciples, those who knew Him best and had walked with Him most closely.

And yet Jesus never stops loving. Even when He knows Judas will betray Him and Peter will deny Him, He does not turn away. He does not harden His heart, take offence, or retreat in sorrow. He keeps going, faithful to the Father’s will, carrying out redemption to the end. Christ loves mankind so deeply that He is always ready to forgive.

And He still forgives.

Every sin of mine — every selfish choice, every act of pride, every refusal to trust — is a betrayal of the Lord who loves me. I don’t always see it that way, but even the smallest sin wounds His Heart.

So how do I respond? Do I weep like Peter and come back in repentance? Or do I hide, like Judas, doubting mercy? Or do I make excuses and stay blind to the hurt I cause?

Jesus is still waiting.