Tuesday of Holy Week

Lectionary: 258

So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.
When he had left, Jesus said,
"Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

 W hen jewelers want to set off the brilliance of a diamond, they may use black velvet. The contrast is striking and creates an effect of extraordinary luxury and privilege. When Saint John introduced the Word of God in the prologue to his gospel he set off the Light of God as it shines in darkness, the darkness which  cannot overcome it. 

With Judas's abrupt departure from the Upper Room and John's observation, "It was night," the scene is set for the Son of Man to be glorified. In the darkness of evil, his brilliance outshines the brightest stars in the universe, and is seen from beyond its most distant limits. Even the demons in darkest pits of hell must bend the knee at the name of Jesus. 

But the disciples and their spokesman Peter remained clueless. They supposed Judas had gone to secure more food for the feast, or to distribute alms to the poor. (As if...!) 

I have read that, even in 1860, few Americans expected a civil war. And when it began they expected the other side would soon capitulate. No one imagined it would continue for four years, or cost 750,000 lives. (2% of the population) And when Lee surrendered at Appomattox many supposed the conflict was resolved. We have yet to see that miracle. Like the fish in Mammoth Cave, we are blind to darkness and to light, and cannot see what should be painfully obvious. 

As we approach the end of Lent, we have already asked the Lord to reveal our personal sins so that we might repent with contrition and confidence in his mercy. But no one can comprehend the enormity of the sin which we share with all human beings. This guilt has deep roots in our infrastructures and history; its spores survive through many generations into an unimaginable, fathomless future. 

But we pray nonetheless: 

R. I will sing of your salvation.

In you, O LORD, I take refuge;

let me never be put to shame.

In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;

incline your ear to me, and save me.

R. I will sing of your salvation.

Be my rock of refuge,

a stronghold to give me safety,

for you are my rock and my fortress.

O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.

R. I will sing of your salvation.

For you are my hope, O LORD;

my trust, O God, from my youth.

On you I depend from birth;

from my mother's womb you are my strength.

R. I will sing of your salvation.