A reading from John 13:19-32

But it is to fulfil the scripture, ‘The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he. Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.”

After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.

Give thanks to the Lord for his glorious Gospel.

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May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen.

Today’s Gospel is a tale of loving. Time and again, Jesus provides opportunity for his disciples to do the right thing, and still they do not understand.

We are called to love, even when it is hardest – or perhaps especially when it is hardest.

Jesus washes the feet of Judas – who has already betrayed him. Nevertheless he lovingly washed his feet, and dips his bread to hand to him – to share this bread that is also his body. This bread is also for Judas, the one who sat so intimately with him and yet betrayed him. At no point did Jesus tell him to cease – but rather told him to hurry and get on with it. No one there fathomed what Judas was about. But Jesus knew – and still he loved him.

And Peter, who was this very night to deny him, Jesus insisted on washing his feet, and calmed the heat of his temper as he drew a sword. He too was loved.

Sometimes love betrays. We are all weak. There are some things we just cannot fathom or bear, and only discover when it is too late. And it is our love which makes our betrayal all the more painful, whether it is us who are betrayed, or us who do the betraying. The pain that comes is the fruit of love. A strange fruit, you may think. It is the fruit of the vine that replenishes that cup that is so hard to drink.

We sorrow at love lost, or love betrayed, but the love we have felt remains with us – a reminder of joy amidst the sorrows of life. For what comfort is there to live a life without having loved? For both Judas and Peter, it was fear which drove betrayal and denial, but it was love which brought a saving grace, a saving grace for each one of us. Jesus love extends throughout time and space, for all who are in need, whatever our circumstances, and whatever mistakes we have made, whatever betrayals we have committed. His love is there for us.