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Tuesday, Holy Week B (March 30, 2021)
Your Daily Blessing: May goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life. Amen!
Read Is 49:1-6; John 13:21-38; pray Psalm 70[69].
NARRATION: A young woman asked me, “Father, why is that some people are so wicked, while others are so kind? Are they destined by God to be so?” I took a deep breath and answered simply, “No, God didn’t destine anyone wickedness and kindness. We choose our destiny.”
It was her turn to ask, “How?” I said, “take the example of Judas. Did God destine that he will betray Jesus?” She said, “I don’t know, but it looks like he was destined to play the role he played.” I countered, “No, Judas was not destined to betray Jesus, but someone must play the role of betrayer, and he, Judas, chose to do that dirty job.” It revealed the quality of his soul.
Judas could have taken all the opportunities he was given to choose differently; for example, it was said in some apocryphal writings that Judas was a close confidant of Jesus. He consults him in everything. He gave him charge of the money bag, not only to show he ‘trusted’ him but to ensure he has enough money for his needs, so as not to be ‘tempted’ to seek it outside (he accepted bribe). He made him sit so close to him (a position reserved in Jewish tradition to very trusted friends) at the banquet table. He even exposed the betrayal by one of the 12 in an effort to dissuade him. In spite of all these, he chose to go ahead with his decision.
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In the same way, wicked people ‘choose’ to be wicked, no matter the graces God gives them to do otherwise, and kind people live out a life of love despite what evil surrounds them. The quality of the soul is determined by our everyday choices. If it were not so, there will be no sin, and it will be unjust for God to punish anyone for sin. So watch that choice you are about to make. It is shaping your destiny!
PRAYER: Merciful Father, I make choices every day; some good, some not so good, and some outright evil or sinful. Please help me choose goodness and kindness all the remaining days of my life. Amen!
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