First Reading - Isaiah 49:1-6
Gospel - John 13:21-38
In the first reading, we are given the Second Servant Song from the Book of Isaiah. This poetic passage outlines the mission of the servant chosen by God to bring back the people to Him. What stands out powerfully in this song is the widening scope of the servant’s mission—it is no longer limited to Israel alone. The servant is now sent as a light to the nations, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. It is a bold and revolutionary vision that breaks the boundary of exclusivity and embraces all of humanity. The servant, despite experiencing disappointment and apparent failure, remains confident in God’s purpose and faithful to the mission. This foreshadows the mission of Jesus, who not only came for the lost sheep of Israel but welcomed sinners, Gentiles, and outcasts into the Kingdom of God. He came for all.
This theme of salvation for all reaches a dramatic and personal tone in today’s Gospel. Here we encounter two of Jesus’ own Apostles—Judas and Peter—both of whom fail Him, but in very different ways, and with very different hearts.
Judas stands as a symbol of hard-heartedness. He was a man trusted by Jesus—placed in a position of honor, seated near the Lord at the Last Supper, and even made the treasurer of the group. In giving Judas a piece of bread dipped in the dish—a gesture of deep personal affection—Jesus made a final appeal of love to a heart already turning cold. Yet, Judas chose betrayal. His expectations of Jesus likely collided with disappointment—perhaps hoping for a political Messiah, he could not accept a suffering Savior. Greed and disillusionment overtook him. What a tragedy it is when love is offered but refused, when grace is given but ignored. Judas reminds us that no matter how close we are externally to Jesus—part of His Church, involved in His mission—what matters is the openness of our heart.
Peter, on the other hand, shows us a different path. He, too, failed Jesus—denying Him three times out of fear. But Peter’s heart, though weak, was open. He wept bitterly, repented deeply, and ultimately returned with renewed love and greater strength. Peter reminds us that failure is never the end when there is humility and repentance. His life became a witness to the transforming power of divine mercy.
Dear friends, Jesus fulfilled in Himself the mission of the servant described in Isaiah. He came to gather the lost, to bring light to those in darkness, and to welcome all—Jew and Gentile, sinner and saint—into the embrace of God's mercy. Even Judas, in his final moments, was the recipient of Jesus’ love. But love can only transform us when we open our hearts to it.
Let us imitate Peter. Let us recognize the times when our choices, actions, and habits have distanced us from the Lord. Let us weep for our sins and return to Him with trust. Let us not allow the coldness of sin, pride, or addiction to harden our hearts like Judas.
As Jesus embraced the cross as His glory, let us also embrace humble, faithful service to others as our path to glory. Let us make love our response to God’s love, mercy our answer to His forgiveness, and self-gift our way of following the One who gave Himself for all.
May God enlighten our hearts, soften our stubbornness, and lead us to the fullness of His salvation.
.jpeg)
0 Comments