John 13:21-33, 36-38
Whether it be from being stood up, canceled out on, being dumped by a friend for another friend, or being undermined from a position of authority, betrayal will leave us feeling hurt, confused, and angry. Jesus, in today's gospel is being betrayed, and He probably had all those feelings of hurt, confusion, and anger. Instead of revealing these, He revealed His relationship with the Father when He said: "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him."
From this we can learn to view our suffering from a higher level when we feel betrayed. Paraphrasing John of the Cross, it is not human beings who do harmful things to us, but rather God who permits them so that we can arrive at the fullness of the measure of His Son, Jesus Christ. While we should never seek suffering directly, this celebration of Holy Week should enable us to be open to the sufferings that God wills for us so that we can become either new men, or new women, in Christ and thus attract others to become disciples of Christ too.
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo Australia
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