Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 4th April 2023

So many have written thanking me for the birdsong that I occasionally record while walking Toby first thing each morning, that I hope to attach another example. However, this does depend on our email system accepting such a large file. I will also attach some photographs of wild flowers, violets and celandines, and a few photographs of Belmont taken yesterday.

 

​The Passion and Resurrection narrative in John takes up a third of his Gospel. Today, (Jn 13: 21-33; 36-38), we hear some of the discussion between Jesus and his disciples, two predictions or prophecies: that Judas would betray him and Peter deny him, two similar forms of infidelity to his friendship and love. “While at supper with his disciples, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, ‘I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, wondering which he meant.” They are conscious of the fact that anyone of them could possibly be the one who is to betray Jesus. We, too, know that we are capable of betraying Jesus. The disciples want to know who it is. “The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus; Simon Peter signed to him and said, ‘Ask who it is he means,’ so leaning back on Jesus’ breast he said, ‘Who is it, Lord?’ ‘It is the one’ replied Jesus ‘to whom I give the piece of bread that I shall dip in the dish.’ He dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. At that instant, after Judas had taken the bread, Satan entered him. Jesus then said, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’” Jesus knows what Judas has in mind to do, which he why he offers him the piece of bread that has been dipped into the dish. Judas understands at that moment that Jesus is aware of his intentions and leaves. The other disciples fail to see what is going on and remain confused. “None of the others at table understood the reason he said this. Since Judas had charge of the common fund, some of them thought Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the festival’, or telling him to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the piece of bread he went out. Night had fallen.” That short sentence, “Night had fallen,” indicates that the powers of evil are at work and appear to have the upper hand. The light of the world is about to be snuffed out.

 

​Yet, once Judas has gone, Jesus feels he can say: “Now has the Son of Man been glorified, and in him God has been glorified. If God has been glorified in him, God will in turn glorify him in himself, and will glorify him very soon. My little children,

I shall not be with you much longer. You will look for me, And, as I told the Jews,

where I am going, you cannot come.” In John, Jesus’ passion and death are his glorification for they lead to his glorious resurrection from the dead. Peter, however, is mystified. “Simon Peter said, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus replied, ‘Where I am going you cannot follow me now; you will follow me later.’ Peter said to him, ‘Why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ ‘Lay down your life for me?’ answered Jesus. ‘I tell you most solemnly, before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.’” Poor Peter, he wants to follow Jesus and lay down his life for him, but Jesus warns him that before the cock crows he will have disowned his Lord three times. How tragic this story would be, were it not for the fact that we know what lies ahead. Perhaps knowing that makes it even more tragic.