The problem of I and Judas

Gospel Thoughts*

*Holy Week: Wednesday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 26:14-25*

*First Reading - Is 50:4-9a*

*The problem of I and Judas*

*1) What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?*

From the above expression of Judas it is very clear that the whole focus of Judas was Self

In other words he was suffering from *I* problem 

In every work Judas calculated what I will get. So even in betraying Jesus, Judas calculated what he would get 

*2) Judas' focus was only self and not the other*

Judas all the time calculated what is the benefit for him. 

Judas never thought or calculated in what was his work will benefit the other 

The *Other* was not there in the life of Judas. The only thing which ruled the life of Judas was the self, selfishness, self gain and greed for money

*3) What he got, could not use it for himself*

In his business relationship, he got 30 silver coins for handing over to Jesus 

He might have felt happy when he received 30 silver coins. But that 30 silver coins he could not use in any way 

After having received 30 silver coins he could keep with him only for few minutes or hours 

Finally he had to throw that money and come back empty handed

Whatever Judas go through the unjust ways, or selfish ways, could not use it in any way. That is the tragedy of Judas' life 

*4) What will I get is a dangerous position in life*

Too much emphasizing on this particular issue, that is *what will I get* is a dangerous thing, 

Because such an position does not allow you to sit quiet 

Such an position always forces you to use unjust ways 

Such and position makes you to violate all the rules and regulations and makes the person desperate to achieve the things 

Such was the position of Judas and finally ended up in committing suicide 

So too much emphasis of *what will I get* finally destroys once own life

*5) What will I get position contrary to the mission of Jesus*

A follower of Jesus can't have this position in any point of time in his/her ministry

One can't serve Jesus with selfless love with *What will I get* position 

In the position there is no mission, service, care, concern and sacrifice 

*What will I get* is the most selfish and self centred position 

*6) What will I get position makes our life useless and worthless*

Human life can't be imagined in *What will I get position*

The foundation of the very life of human being rests in service and not in selfishness 

The foundation of our life should be *What others will get* and not *what I will get*

*7) Jesus always thought what others will get*

Jesus was a other centred person 

Jesus thought what will happen to others if I don't on the cross 

Jesus thought what others will get, if I don't accept the cross and death on the cross

Jesus thought what others will get, if I don't help the needy, cure of the sick, and accept the sinners 

Jesus thought what will happen to the lepers, sick, and the rejected people if I don't touch and heal them 

Jesus' approach was completely different than that of Judas

*8) Which path do I follow?*

The path of Judas  - what will I get - dangerous path, destructive path and unjust path 

The path of Jesus - just path, other centred path, a path which is filled with others wellbeing, love, sacrifice, care, concern, justice, etc 

Which is my path?

Think about it

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*