Judas' name always follows with a special reference : Who betrayed Jesus

Gospel Thoughts

*Second Week : Friday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 3:13-19*

*First Reading - Heb 8:6-13*

*Judas' name always follows with a special reference : Who betrayed Jesus*

*1) Except Judas' name, all other names appear in a positive note*

All the names of the apostles are given in the list 

There are 12 Apostles of Jesus and all the 12 names are found in the list 

There is a major difference between the name of Judas and other apostles. 

All the 11 names appear in a normal way without having any negative tone attached to the name 

But the name of Judas appear in a negative tone : Judas Iscariot one who betrayed Jesus

*2) Why Judas' name has this nagative aspect?*

First of all it shows something very bad might have happened in the life of Judas. 

As we gather from the Gospel accounts, Judas is the one who betrayed Jesus and this appears to be a very serious crime from the part of Judas. 

So Judas is always referred as the one who betrayed Jesus

*3) Peter denied, Judas betrayed - What is the difference*

Peter also had denied Jesus three times.

Even then Peter was never referred as the one who denied Jesus. 

Peters name does not have this negative tone like that of Judas. 

No boday calls *Peter one who denied Jesus*. Such a thing is not found. 

But the name of Judas, always follows *one who betrayed Jesus*

Reason for the difference is very simple :

Peter realised His mistake and looked at Jesus for the mercy, and finally he changed his life 

Judas also realised his mistake, but didn't ask for God's mercy and finally destroyed his own life 

The betrayal ended in self destruction

The denial ended in changing ones life and offering ones life for Jesus. 

That is the difference between Peter and Judas

*4) Evil deeds will never be forgotten for centuries*

A blunder which was committed by Judas has a terrible consequences. 

First of all it was a terrible act from the side of Judas. Being the close apostle of Jesus he betrayed, which is terrible

Secondly, even after 2000 years of this incident, the evil deed of Judas is not forgotten. It is still fresh and the entire world knows about it 

Thirdly, the reference to this evil deed will continue as long as this world continues. It can not be undone 

Fourthly, the evil deed is attached to the name itself *Judas one who betrayed Jesus* This is something terrible and no body wants to be called in this perticular way 

Fifthly, the very moment one who hears the name of Judas, always the negative feelings come our mind because of this evil deeds 

After Simon Peter, there have been millions of people who have been named after Peter. But there are badly any one who is named as *Judas Iscariot* because of the evil attached to it. 

*5) Once the name spoils, it is difficult to reverse it back to its original glory*

No one will be able to bring it back the original meaning and glory of the name of Judas

Since Judas had ended his life with the evil act, there is no possibility of setting it right. 

So once the life ends with negative or evil act, it can't be erased from the life, and name of the person. 

So we need to be careful about the same. 

*6) What attachment my name will have?*

We have few examples like this 

Hitler the dictator

Pilot who washed His hands 

King Nero identified with fire. *Nero burning ROM*

Mother Theresa the living saint 

Ignatius of Loyola, the soldier of Christ 

St Antony the wonder worker 

 These are few examples for the evil and good deeds done by the people 

*7) What is my identity?*

Let's take the example of the name X

X a genuine person

X a sincere person 

X a useful person 

X a generous person 

X a lovable person 

X a needy person 

X a humble person 

*Or will they address me*

X a useless person 

X a revengeful person 

X the traitor

X the cheater 

X a dangerous person 

*Think about that*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*