Don Bosco Philippines South Province

Homily on Holy Wednesday, 27 March 2024, PH Chapel, Talamban

Yesterday we finally completed the one-thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle of Fr Mario. It took us two to three weeks to finish it. Fr Bai with the help of a magnifying glass patiently worked on it every single day putting one piece at a time in its rightful place. I too tried to give my little contribution by putting a few pieces together each day. But yesterday I was impressed how a good number of our staff was suddenly drawn towards the almost complete puzzle. Later on I came to know they were the ones who triumphantly put in place the last missing pieces of the big puzzle. Oh, what a joy to see a very meticulous work finally accomplished!

Today is the last day before the Paschal Triduum begins. And in a few days time we shall be celebrating the completion of God’s marvelous work of redemption. The gospel passage today (Mt 26:14-25) presents to us Jesus fully aware of the betrayal plans of Judas Iscariot. The scene is as dramatic as in yesterday’s narration of the same episode by John, the evangelist. Like in John’s account, we find Jesus reclining at the dinner table with the twelve He must have been very anxious knowing that his life was about to end.

In between their eating and drinking, the singing and story-telling, the fun and laughter at table, I guess Jesus must have been observing closely each of his disciples with an eye particularly on Judas. And chances are he must have noticed the restlessness and anxiety on Judas’ face that night. So when the right moment came, knowing that his passion has finally begun, Jesus broke the momentary silence and probably after a deep sigh he tried to unburden his heavy heart to them as he declared “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

Everyone must have been taken aback. Each of them reacted one after another saying to him “Surely it is not I, Lord?” After hearing their response, Jesus just gave them a clue indicating who his betrayer would be.

Brothers and sisters, let us pause and reflect more deeply on this very dramatic scene, because it reveals to us how amazingly awesome the true heart of Jesus our Lord is. Knowing what Judas was about to do, Jesus tried to remain calm and gentle, composed and compassionate. He could have stood up, pointed a finger at his betrayer and denounced him in front of the rest, with the same boldness with which he confronted the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. But no! Jesus chose to avoid a confrontation. This time he chose the way of compassion.

I believe that even if he knew everything, Jesus still gave Judas the benefit of a doubt, for he wanted to offer him the last chance to still change his mind… so that the Son of Man could be spared from being put to death by the authorities. When he said “One of you will betray me” without mentioning any name, I believe Jesus was actually giving Judas the opportunity to reflect seriously and to reconsider his malicious intent. What amazes us is that even if Jesus had all the power to control the situation for his own benefit, he chose to be powerless and let Judas decide on his destiny.

Sad to say, however, Judas failed to perceive Jesus’ discreet and indirect call to abort his plan inviting him to remain in the company of the twelve.. and above all to remain in his live. Wala kini nakita ni Judas. (Judas did not see that.) What Judas saw was simply the glaring opportunity to be able to walk quietly out of the room without any of them realizing something wrong was going on. And so, he went away after that and resolutely carried out his hostile plan against his master, whom he would sell to the authorities for thirty pieces of silver.

Judas opted to misuse his God-given freedom by choosing to serve “mammon” rather than the Master he tried so hard to follow. And I guess that as soon as he left, Jesus must have felt his heart wounded and bleeding as if pierced by a dagger. He chose, however, to hide the pain until his mission had reached its full completion in accord with God’s will and plan.

Brothers and sisters Satan has already entered Judas. The passion of Christ has now begun. Despite our sins of betrayals and infidelities as vowed persons, as married couples, or as baptized Christians, Jesus chooses to stretch out his hand towards us, not to judge us and condemn us but rather to save us, to love us and to forgive us. And we are simply amazed if not overwhelmed to see what is really at the very core of Jesus’ heart, none other than his unli-love and unimaginable compassion for us, his closest followers.

Today let us try to find some quiet “ME time” to reflect and see in what ways we might have played a “Judas” in the wrong choices we have made in the past. Let us recall in what ways we might have misused our freedom for our own selfish motives without considering the promptings of our conscience, with no fear of its harmful consequences on others, and with no compassion for the poor, the weak and the defenseless.

And with humble and contrite hearts let us turn to the same Lord knowing that from the cross from where his blood has already washed away our sins he continues to shed his blood pouring out lavishly on our hearts his overwhelming gift of love, mercy and compassion.

To conclude, God’s redemptive work has already been completed in Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. But the ultimate piece in the vast puzzle of God’s redemptive work still rests in our hands. That last piece is no other than… our heart. This coming Easter Triduum we are called to nail that heart on the cross of Jesus so that with our hearts united with him, the work of our redemption and sanctification may finally be completed for the glory of Father. GiGsss!

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