...and it was night.
When (Judas) had left, Jesus said,
"Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself,
and he will glorify him at once.
Glorious usually refers to sunrises and sunsets, and to spectacular achievements like military victories or political upheavals. The victors of any contest like to wrap themselves in glory, whether they deserve it or not. Their supporters will celebrate with them; their opponents will suffer through it. But when the Gospel of Saint John speaks of glory, the setting and circumstances seem entirely wrong.
In today's gospel, Judas Iscariot leaves the table in the middle of a festive evening. Most of his companions suppose he's taking care of business. Perhaps he was the anxious sort who never really belonged to the group but found a place among them because the leader placed him there. If anyone asks, "Why is he here?" the answer was given, "Why is any one of us here? How did you get in? Or me?" The whys and wherefores of this group of men of no particular standing, credentials or talents have always been rather mysterious. They certainly weren't chosen for their looks or intelligence.
Only Jesus seemed to have a clear understanding of what goes on, or where they're going. So when Judas left the room, apparently at the Lord's behest -- "What you are going to do, do quickly!" -- the disciples didn't even raise an eyebrow.
Saint John tells us, "It was night." A dark night, indeed; although the disciples, in the presence of Glorious Light, were blissfully unaware of the outer gloom. In his prologue Saint John has declared, "...the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
What could be more inglorious than betrayal? A leader's glory relies mostly upon his supporters. If they are faithful and true, he has eclat. If they are rabidly enthusiastic for him and everything he represents, he has great glory. But if he is betrayed by a close confidant his glory is stained, besmirched.
His faithful supporters may react with furious outrage, especially because they feel betrayed. But worse, the traitor has introduced certain poisons into the group: doubt, cynicism,duplicity, and treachery. They might deny their anxious feelings of uncertainty, insisting that they still believe in their champion. But the doubt remains, a troubled feeling that maybe they didn't see what the traitor saw. Perhaps they were blinded by the light and didn't see the darkness that was always there.
At the moment of Judas's departure, contrary to all expectations and the wisdom of our experience, Jesus declares, "Now is the Son of Man glorified...."
The Light is shining in darkness, more brilliantly than anything we can imagine. It is the light of fidelity, of the Faithful God who gives more than God can give, the God who is consumed, emptied, drained by a total gift of self in the face of the most despicable human treachery. As Saint Paul said,
If we are unfaithful
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.