If I owned a major sports team like the Bucs or the Rays, I would select the best players I could afford, avoiding anyone who might betray the team, me, or the fans. However, Jesus intentionally chose Judas to be His disciple. It’s so easy to wonder how Judas could do such a thing, knowing Jesus for three years.
If we are not careful, we will miss the point of today’s Gospel: Jesus, not Judas, is our focus. We heard in the Gospel from Palm Sunday that Jesus willingly, and I say, lovingly embraced His sufferings and Cross without coercion. He knew who would betray Him. “The one who dips his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me.”
Jesus also knew he was fulfilling the prophecy of the Suffering Servant we heard in our first reading: “I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.”
Put yourself in Jesus’ shoes. Think of the heaviest cross you ever carried that cost you the most suffering. If you had the opportunity not to undergo that pain and suffering, would you take it? Would we not avoid that suffering given the opportunity when it was happening?
Gospel Challenge:
It’s a mystery I cannot begin to fathom: The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity knew from all eternity what would happen to Him if He chose to become a man with all the properties that made Him human, including pain and suffering. What is even more of a mystery is what He sees in all of us, saint and sinner alike. “
That we are worth every ounce of His torment and pain. The more I contemplate this mystery, the more I hate sin and what it does to Jesus and to us. God have mercy on us all!
Sunday, May 17, 2026 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051726-Ascension A favorite way to pray the Scriptures is to enter the scene and experience what the people are experiencing alongside
May 16, 2026, John 16: 23b-28 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051626.cfm The Father Himself Loves You. A priest hears many stories, some happy and some sad. My heart goes
May 14, 2026, John 15:9-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051426-Thursday All For Jesus The school kids play a hand game called Rock, Paper, Scissors: Rock crushesScissors, Scissors cut Paper,
May 13, 2026, John 16:12-15 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051326.cfm What is God Saying To Me Today? There are many ways to pray. The Holy Mass is the Source
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Wednesday of Holy Week
April 1, 2026, Matthew 26:14-25
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040126.cfm
We Have No Suspects.
If I owned a major sports team like the Bucs or the Rays, I would select the best players I could afford, avoiding anyone who might betray the team, me, or the fans. However, Jesus intentionally chose Judas to be His disciple. It’s so easy to wonder how Judas could do such a thing, knowing Jesus for three years.
If we are not careful, we will miss the point of today’s Gospel: Jesus, not Judas, is our focus. We heard in the Gospel from Palm Sunday that Jesus willingly, and I say, lovingly embraced His sufferings and Cross without coercion. He knew who would betray Him. “The one who dips his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me.”
Jesus also knew he was fulfilling the prophecy of the Suffering Servant we heard in our first reading: “I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.”
Put yourself in Jesus’ shoes. Think of the heaviest cross you ever carried that cost you the most suffering. If you had the opportunity not to undergo that pain and suffering, would you take it? Would we not avoid that suffering given the opportunity when it was happening?
Gospel Challenge:
It’s a mystery I cannot begin to fathom: The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity knew from all eternity what would happen to Him if He chose to become a man with all the properties that made Him human, including pain and suffering. What is even more of a mystery is what He sees in all of us, saint and sinner alike. “
That we are worth every ounce of His torment and pain. The more I contemplate this mystery, the more I hate sin and what it does to Jesus and to us. God have mercy on us all!
Love Your Neighbor
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC www.bscchurch.com
Share:
More Posts
Father Rick’s Three-Minute Homily for the Ascension of the Lord
Sunday, May 17, 2026 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051726-Ascension A favorite way to pray the Scriptures is to enter the scene and experience what the people are experiencing alongside
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Saturday, 6th Week in Easter
May 16, 2026, John 16: 23b-28 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051626.cfm The Father Himself Loves You. A priest hears many stories, some happy and some sad. My heart goes
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for the Feast of St. Matthias Apostle
May 14, 2026, John 15:9-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051426-Thursday All For Jesus The school kids play a hand game called Rock, Paper, Scissors: Rock crushesScissors, Scissors cut Paper,
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Wednesday, 6th Week in Easter
May 13, 2026, John 16:12-15 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051326.cfm What is God Saying To Me Today? There are many ways to pray. The Holy Mass is the Source
Categories
Send Us A Message