Monday of Holy Week

Lectionary: 257

Though an army encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
Though war be waged upon me,
even then will I trust.

The great theologian Karl Rahner observed that apocalyptic literature expects a widening gap between the just and unjust, merciful and merciless, good and evil. That polarization is a sign of the end time.

In today’s gospel we hear Judas suddenly erupting in protest. He has been largely silent throughout his following of Jesus. Perhaps only Jesus suspected what was going on this observer’s soul.  The other disciples, seem clueless about their companion; they cannot interpret his silence or see the cynical scowl on his face. As the “hour” approaches, however, what is happening within must burst out of him in ugly remonstrance.

It is met immediately by two rebukes: the evangelist says Judas was a thief who used to steal from the common fund; and Jesus defends the pious woman as he sarcastically states, “You always have the poor with you!” If there was any hope that Judas might resolve his inner conflict and accept Jesus’ lordship, we can see now that the rot is too deep.

Jesus does not compromise with Judas. He does not try to ease the tension in the room, to conciliate between the different factions. Rather, he takes his stand with the woman.

Some people suppose that apocalyptic literature is all about the End of the World when the sun will burn out and the moon and stars will fall to earth.

But we see in human history, far more often, an end of the world as we know it. Few people doubt that we are living in such a time now. We should pray that this convulsion does not erupt in universal warfare when ‘even the elect” will be sorely tempted to abandon their faith.

The synoptic gospels describe an end of the world with Jesus’ crucifixion.

From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon…. And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.

The forces of evil coalesced as the procurator, the king, the Sanhedrin, the mob and the traitor agreed that Jesus must die. The forces of good also merged when the Resurrected Lord called his scattered disciples together.

During the drama of Holy Week we consider the choice we must make and pray that, when the day comes, we will choose rightly.