John 13:21-33, 36-38
When Jesus had thus spoken, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying close to the breast of Jesus; so Simon Peter beckoned to him and said, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.” So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast”; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel, he immediately went out; and it was night. When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified; if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going you cannot come.’ Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow, till you have denied me three times.
Homily:
Whenever I read the story of Judas, I am reminded about the caution required when entrusted with the money box. Money attracts greed and greed is the opening for all sins. To be contented with what you have, you must continually check greed. Judas did not betray Jesus because he disagreed with the message or because he had a falling out with him. He betrayed Jesus because his greed blinded him, at least for a while. The hole he continually tried to fill with money, just never made him whole, until that hole swallowed his whole life.
Whenever I read the story of Peter, I am reminded to be cautious with words. Your words become your own judgment, because your actions will betray you. I am instructed from his example, that it is better to speak only of what has been done and not what will be done. Write of what has been achieved, not what will be achieved. Leave words about tomorrow to the people that choose to extrapolate from yesterday, but focus on what you can do today. Your actions are the true pointer to your commitments, not your words. Your words only serve as a noose around your neck, which gets tighter every time your actions contradict those words.