First Reading - Isaiah 49:1-6
Gospel - John 13:21-33,36-38
In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah speaks as the servant chosen by God from the very beginning. He is called not only to restore Israel but to be a light to the nations, bringing salvation to the ends of the earth. Yet within this calling, there is also a sense of struggle: “I thought I had toiled in vain.” The servant experiences discouragement, yet he continues to trust that his mission is in God’s hands.
This passage points to Christ, whose mission extends far beyond what human eyes can see. Even when his work seems rejected or fruitless, God’s plan is still unfolding through him.
In the Gospel, we enter a deeply emotional moment during the Last Supper. Jesus is troubled in spirit and announces that one of his own disciples will betray him. The closeness of this betrayal makes it even more painful — it comes not from an enemy, but from someone who has shared his life and his table.
Judas receives the morsel from Jesus and then leaves into the night. The Gospel’s simple phrase carries deep meaning: darkness has entered not only the hour, but the heart. Yet even this betrayal does not disrupt God’s plan; it becomes part of the path that leads to the cross.
After Judas departs, Jesus speaks of being glorified. This may seem surprising, because what lies ahead is suffering and death. Yet for Jesus, glory is revealed precisely in self-giving love. The cross is not a defeat, but the moment when God’s love is fully made visible.
Then comes another moment of weakness. Peter, full of confidence, declares that he is ready to lay down his life for Jesus. But Jesus, knowing the human heart, gently reveals the truth: before the rooster crows, Peter will deny him three times.
In a single passage, we see both betrayal and denial — two different forms of human failure. Judas turns away completely, while Peter, though sincere, falters under pressure. These moments remind us that even those closest to Jesus are not immune to weakness.
And yet, the deeper message is not about failure alone, but about the faithfulness of Christ. Despite betrayal, despite denial, Jesus continues forward in love. He does not withdraw his mission. He remains committed to giving himself for others.
Dear friends, as we reflect on these readings, we are invited to recognize ourselves in these figures. At times, we may act like Judas, turning away from Christ through deliberate choices. At times, we may resemble Peter, full of good intentions yet weak when tested.
But the hope of this moment lies in Christ’s unwavering love. He knows our weaknesses, yet he continues to call us, to trust us, and to offer himself for us.
Holy Week invites us to stay close to Jesus, even in these difficult moments. Not to run away from our weaknesses, but to bring them before him. For it is in his faithful love that we find the strength to return, to remain, and to follow him more deeply.
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