Reflections of Holy Week

Today’s Gospel tells us that one of Jesus’ twelve apostles—Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What will you give me if I deliver him to you?’ They agreed to pay him thirty pieces of silver, and from then on Judas looked for a chance to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14–16).

On the Wednesday of Holy, the Church remembers Judas’ act of betrayal. There was a time when Judas met Jesus and believed him to be the Messiah, chosen personally by Christ to be one of his close followers. In that relationship, Judas could have experienced the same joy as the other apostles and even become a cornerstone of the early Church. Instead, he chose to “sell out” the one who had given him everything for a small sum—an exchange that cost him dearly. God allowed this story to be written down so that we might learn from it.

The painful climax of this story unfolds at the Last Supper. As Jesus sensed the suffering and loneliness that awaited him, he announced, “Truly, one of you will betray me” (Matthew 26:21). Shocked and full of self-doubt, the other eleven apostles asked, “Is it I, Lord?” Jesus answered by saying that the very one who dipped his hand in the shared dish would be the traitor. He reminded them that although his fate had been foretold, woe to the one who betrayed him—it would have been better for that person never to have been born. When Judas finally asked, “Is it I, Master?” Jesus confirmed his words (Matthew 26:22–25).

We do not know whether Judas ever looked into Jesus’ eyes again. If he had, he would have seen no anger or resentment there. Instead, Jesus continued to look upon him with the same loving invitation extended when he first called him to be an apostle. This shows us a powerful truth: even in our moments of failure, Jesus’ love remains unchanged. Our true purpose in life is to love God and one another—everything else is temporary, but love endures.

Judas’ betrayal was not a sudden, impulsive act; it was the final outcome of many small missteps. For example, the Gospel of John recounts an incident just days before Passover when Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus with precious perfume. Judas criticised her not out of genuine concern for the poor but because, as the keeper of the money box, he had been stealing what others had donated. This incident reminds us that small wrong choices, when repeated, can lead us away from what is truly important (John 12:6).

However, no sin or personal weakness is so great that it can overpower the love of a God who continually calls us back. Saint Josemaria teaches that although we all have shortcomings, these faults should never make us turn away from God. Instead, we should take refuge in His never-ending mercy, just as a warrior would put on protective armour made of divine grace.

Saint Augustine also reminds us that humbly asking for forgiveness is the best way to overcome our failures. He noted that if Judas—after his betrayal—had turned to Christ to ask for pardon, he would have held onto hope and received mercy. Jesus never intended for Judas or any of us to be lost. Even in the turmoil of his arrest, Jesus called Judas “friend” and accepted his kiss—the very sign of betrayal—to try to bring him back. Even on the Cross, Jesus seemed to hope that Judas might return and find forgiveness, just as he forgave the repentant thief.

Similarly, the apostle Peter, who denied Jesus three times on that tragic night, later wept bitterly out of love and remorse for his sin. Unlike Judas, Peter embraced hope and sought forgiveness. Judas, on the other hand, did not have the humility to return to his Lord and confess his wrongdoing. Where Peter held onto the possibility of redemption, Judas lost hope and closed himself off from God’s mercy.

Reflecting further on the Gospel, Saint Josemaría emphasises the power of hope. Even though Judas felt deep regret—so much so that he tried to return the money he had received for his betrayal—his lack of hope prevented him from turning back to God. Had he embraced that hope, he might have found a way back to the community of believers. We cannot know for certain what was in Judas’ heart at the very end; only God understands it fully. The key lesson for us is never to give in to despair, no matter what mistakes we have made. By confessing our faults, repenting sincerely, and accepting God’s guidance, we allow the healing process to begin.

Finally, today’s Gospel teaches us that no matter how heavy our mistakes, God’s mercy is always greater. When we open our hearts to Jesus, He can heal even our deepest wounds. Although fear and shame may make it hard to admit our mistakes, speaking our truth helps transform our fragile nature into lasting strength—much like clay that, when properly worked, becomes as strong as bronze. This is the same kind of strength that the humble apostle Peter found, and it is the strength we ask for from Jesus through His Mother Mary.