Posted on 10/18/2006 7:51:19 PM PDT by ELS
On Judas Iscariot and Matthias
"Never Despair of God's Mercy"
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 18, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave at today's general audience, dedicated to present the figures of Judas Iscariot and Matthias.
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Dear Brothers and Sisters:
On completing today the review of the Twelve Apostles called directly by Jesus during his earthly life, we cannot fail to mention the one who always appears in the last place: Judas Iscariot. We want to associate him with the person who was later chosen to substitute him, namely, Matthias.
The name Judas alone arouses among Christians an instinctive reaction of reprobation and condemnation. The meaning of the name "Iscariot" is controversial: The most used explanation says that it means "man from Queriyyot," in reference to his native village, located in the surroundings of Hebron, mentioned twice in sacred Scripture (cf. Joshua 15:25; Amos 2:2).
Others interpret it as a variation of the term "hired assassin," as if it alluded to a guerrilla armed with a dagger, called "sica" in Latin. Finally, some see in the label the simple transcription of a Hebrew-Aramaic root that means: "He who was going to betray him." This mention is found twice in the fourth Gospel, that is, after a confession of faith by Peter (cf. John 6:71) and later during the anointing at Bethany (cf. John 12:4).
Other passages show that the betrayal was underway, saying: "He who betrayed him," as happened during the Last Supper, after the announcement of the betrayal (cf. Matthew 26:25) and later at the moment Jesus was arrested (cf. Matthew 26:46.48; John 18:2.5). However, the lists of the twelve recall the betrayal as something that already occurred: "Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him," says Mark (3:19); Matthew (10:4) and Luke (6:16) use equivalent formulas.
The betrayal, as such, took place in two moments: first of all in its planning phase, when Judas comes to an agreement with Jesus' enemies for 30 pieces of silver (cf. Matthew 26:14-16), and later in its execution with the kiss he gave the master in Gethsemane (cf. Matthew 26:46-50).
Anyway, the evangelists insist that his condition of apostle corresponded fully to him: He is repeatedly called "one of the twelve" (Matthew 26:14.47; Mark 14:10.20; John 6:71) or "of the number of the twelve" (Luke 22:3).
Moreover, on two occasions, Jesus, addressing the apostles and speaking precisely of him, indicates him as "one of you" (Matthew 26:21; Mark 14:18; John 6:70; 13:21). And Peter would say of Judas "he was numbered among us, and was allotted his share in this ministry" (Acts 1:17).
He is, therefore, a figure belonging to the group of those whom Jesus had chosen as companions and close collaborators. This poses two questions when it comes to explaining what happened. The first consists in asking ourselves how it was possible that Jesus chose this man and trusted him.
In fact, though Judas is the group's administrator (cf. John 12:6b; 13:29a), in reality he is also called "thief" (John 12:6a). The mystery of the choice is even greater, as Jesus utters a very severe judgment on him: "Woe to that man by whom the son of man is betrayed!" (Matthew 26:24).
This mystery is even more profound if one thinks of his eternal fate, knowing that Judas "repented and brought back the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying 'I have sinned in betraying innocent blood'" (Matthew 27:3-4). Though he departed afterward to hang himself (cf. Matthew 27:5), it is not for us to judge his gesture, putting ourselves in God's place, who is infinitely merciful and just.
A second question affects the motive of Judas' behavior: Why did he betray Jesus? The question raises several theories. Some say it was his greed for money; others give an explanation of a messianic nature: Judas was disappointed on seeing that Jesus did not fit the program of the political-military liberation of his country.
In fact, the Gospel texts insist on another aspect: John says expressly that "the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him" (John 13:2); in the same way, Luke writes: "Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve" (Luke 22:3).
In this way, one goes beyond historical motivations, explaining what occurred by basing it on Judas' personal responsibility, who yielded miserably to a temptation of the evil one. In any case, Judas' betrayal continues to be a mystery. Jesus treated him as a friend (cf. Matthew 26:50), but in his invitations to follow him on the path of the beatitudes he did not force his will or prevent him from falling into Satan's temptations, respecting human freedom.
In fact, the possibilities of perversion of the human heart are truly many. The only way to prevent them consists in not cultivating a view of life that is only individualistic, autonomous, but in always placing oneself on the side of Jesus, assuming his point of view.
We must try, day after day, to be in full communion with him. Let us recall that even Peter wanted to oppose him and what awaited him in Jerusalem, but he received a very strong rebuke: "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men" (Mark 8:32-33).
After his fall, Peter repented and found forgiveness and grace. Judas also repented, but his repentance degenerated into despair and in this way it became self-destruction. It is an invitation for us to always remember what St. Benedict says at the end of Chapter 5 -- fundamental -- of his Rule: "Never despair of God's mercy." In fact, "God is greater than our hearts," as St. John says (1 John 3:20).
Let us remember two things. The first: Jesus respects our freedom. The second: Jesus waits for us to have the disposition to repent and to be converted; he is rich in mercy and forgiveness. In fact, when we think of the negative role Judas played, we must frame it in the higher way with which God disposed the events.
His betrayal led to the death of Jesus who transformed this tremendous torment into a space of salvific love and in self-giving to the Father (cf. Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:2.25). The verb "betray" is the Greek version which means "to give up." At times its subject is also God himself in person: Out of love, he "gave up" Jesus for us all (cf. Romans 8:32). In his mysterious plan of salvation, God assumes Judas' unjustifiable gesture as the motive for the total giving up of the Son for the redemption of the world.
On concluding, we wish to recall also he who, after Easter, was chosen to replace the traitor. In the Church of Jerusalem, two were put forward to the community and then lots were cast for their names: "Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias" (Acts 1:23).
Precisely the latter was chosen, and in this way "he was enrolled with the eleven apostles" (Acts 1:26). We do not know anything more about him, with the exception that he was a witness of Jesus' public life (cf. Acts 1: 21-22), being faithful to him to the end. To the greatness of his fidelity was added later the divine call to take Judas' place, as though compensating his betrayal.
We draw a final lesson from here: Although there is no lack of unworthy and traitorous Christians in the Church, it is up to us to counterbalance the evil they do with our limpid testimony of Jesus Christ our lord and savior.
[Translation by ZENIT]
[At the end of the audience, the Holy Father greeted pilgrims in several languages. In English, he said:]
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today I conclude my series of reflections on the Apostles by speaking of Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Jesus. Why did he do it? Some say he was too fond of money, and the offer of 30 pieces of silver was too much to resist.
The Gnostic writers say he wanted to liberate Jesus from the shackles of mortality. But the Gospels tell us that Satan entered into the heart of Judas. He yielded to a temptation from the evil one. It is a mistake to think that the great privilege of living in company with Jesus is enough to make a person holy. Jesus does not force our will when he invites us to follow him along the path of the beatitudes.
The only way to avoid the pitfalls that surround us is to give ourselves entirely to Jesus, to enter into full communion with him, so that we think and act as he did, in total obedience to the Father. God can turn everything to a good purpose. Even Judas' betrayal became, through divine providence, the occasion for Jesus' supreme act of love, for the salvation of the world.
Finally, a word about the one who was chosen after the Resurrection to take the traitor's place, in a sense compensating for what Judas had done. All we know about Matthias is that he was a witness to the whole of Jesus' earthly life, and he remained faithful to the end. We too are called to make reparation for the sins of others by our faithful witness to Christ.
I welcome the English-speaking pilgrims here today, especially the Sisters of Providence who have come for the canonization of Mother Theodore Guérin. I greet also the pilgrims from Africa, Asia, Britain and Ireland, Scandinavia and the United States of America. May God pour out his blessings upon all of you, and upon your loved ones at home.
Each Pope has his own style, but they are all teachers. Benedict XVI has a magnificent gift to be able to present complex ideas in a very understandable, articulate and eloquent manner.
I have a feeling that it would be incredible just to sit in his presence and listen to him talk about almost anything.
You and me both!
He seems an excellent teacher.
Before he became a bishop, he was a university professor. He is an academic at heart, a true scholar in the best sense of the word. He has tens of thousands of books and loves to read and write. While he was a Cardinal he entertained hopes of being able to retire to read and write books at his home in Germany near his brother, Georg. Alas, that did not come to pass. However, the role of Pope gives him an extraordinary opportunity to teach the entire world.
Benedict XVI also has the ability to beautifully craft his answers to different audiences. I am thinking of a public audience he gave to children who had received their First Communion within the past year. A handful of the new communicants were given the opportunity to ask him questions about the Sacrament of Communion. Their questions were pretty typical of young children. His answers were substantial yet he didn't talk down to them or over their heads.
I see NYer has already given you a link to the various communications of Benedict XVI during his pontificate (and a brief period before). If you are interested in reading some of the books he has written, you can find them at Ignatius Press, which publishes his books in English.
"I have a feeling that might be considered blasphemy of the darkest type by some."
Yeah, I know what you mean, I don't think anyone wants to be perceived as being soft on Judas. He does ellict a response though.
Here's another such question that I hope doesn't put me into the "blasphemy zone". I happened to kick around with some of my 8th graders last year, but never actually got them a certifiable answer.
What do you think about the idea that Judas had free will? Was he able discern what he did for himself? He did give into Satan's temptation, but was this "pre-destined" and was he simply manifesting God's plan? Essentially, did he really have a choice?
Jesus clearly knew who the betrayer would be and that he would betray him.
Can anyone point me to an resource for such an answer,...opinions are fine, too.
As we all are. I am grateful to Cardinal Ratzinger for saying, "Acceto" [I accept] when presented with the question of whether or not he would accept the decision of the other Cardinals (with the help of the Holy Spirit) that he be the new Pope.
Nope: the feast of Easter does not have pagan fertility origins.
The word "Easter" may be derived from Eostre, meaning in the month of April (Eoestrmonat). Whether that in turn is derived from a goddess is unclear.
I've heard that some Christians, objecting to any pagan etymologies, like to call Easter "Resurrection Sunday," --- which is just a little odd, since "Sunday" comes from the worship of the Sun, like "Monday" (Moon day), "Wednesday" (Odin's day), "Thursday" (Thor's day), "Friday" (Freya's day), or "Saturday" (Saturn's day.)
On the other hand, Easter may be a shoretened form of auferstehen --the German word for resurrection!
Do you think the Apostles hid eggs and hunted for them? The (prolific)rabbit and eggs (sign of fertility) got mingled in with traditional religious observances. The term Easter was used in the post and therefore I merely pointed out . . . and we all got sidetracked. As I pointed out I have seen "Easter" in some KJ versions but have not checked any Douay-Rheims for cross reference.
But just for emphasis, please don't take it amiss if I say this: the bunny and egg things are just innocent fun. I don't read that the Apostles were opposed to making hot cross buns on Shrove Tuesday; or serving a cake with a coin in it on Epiphany; or decking the halls with boughs of holly; or a bride tossing her bouquet to the unmarried girls; in fact, fun and frivolous things are very often connected with high and holy things, and no harm done.
G.K. Chesterton said something (something witty of course, and dang me, I can't remember what it was) about if you take a very slight two-degree wrong turn in theology, you end up with the singing silenced and the dancing banned, and all your ornaments smashed on the floor. That could be the Puritans -- or the Taliban.
Everythings cool. I don't get emotional anymore over these internet discussions. And my Easter egg hunt question was rhetorical (and cheeky) . I have a different religious concept than just about anybody I know. But I find it unnerving when churches have Easter activities on one of the most sacred dates on the calendar. I know, it's just me. But Jesus the Christ was the Pascal (sp) sacrificial Lamb on that particular Passover and I find it a time of quiet reflection and meditation of the cost of my sins and I cannot get into the celebratory mood. Of course, thank God He was ressurected and we do have redemption available to us. Cheers.
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