Judas’ Question – Reflection by Paul B.

“Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Judas asks Jesus in today’s Gospel reading. Isn’t this question, almost declaration, what we ask each time we refuse to recognize the wrong we do? “It’s not that bad,” we assert, “I’m not really messing up.” This, however, is a lack of humility. But humility is the first step towards forgiveness. We cannot ask for forgiveness if we do not first realize that we need it. Rather than live in the denial of Judas, then, we must say, “Surely it is I! I have wronged you, Jesus!” Jesus gives Judas many opportunities to seek His mercy. He does the same for us. In these last few days before Easter, let us recognize that we mess up and hasten to the love and mercy of the one who died for our sins.

Paul Brungardt is a freshman at Conception Seminary College, studying for the Diocese of Wichita.