First, thank you for your thoughts and comments about the world’s problems especially in the Ukraine. I cannot help but believe that the collective good in us all will find a solution. Keep those ideas coming.
We began Lent on a Wednesday and it starts to wind down on a Wednesday, a day many believe was the day that the betrayal began. Scholars have debated for centuries whether Jesus forgave Judas. I have no doubt. There are those who even believe that Judas was in on God’s plan and was willing to sacrifice permanent disgrace. I don’t go that far, and believe that the betrayal was a disappointment but not a surprise.
We all disappoint. It is a law of human nature, and often the person we disappoint the most is ourselves. It is only a matter of degree. Perhaps, that is why God knew what we need forgiveness the most — from God, from our family, from our neighbors, and from our own selves.
Lent has been a good time to work on our disappointments and forgiving others, but we will continue to disappoint and need to forgive after Easter. The story of Judas is so impactful because we see Judas in us, as we see Peter’s denial.
Why do you think God doesn’t condemn, but forgives? Shouldn’t we?
To believe that Judas was part of God’s plan would be the same as believing that Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the torture and killing of all of those innocents is also part of God’s plan. There is evil in the world represented by both Judas and Russia/Putin. I don’t believe that God creates that evil although he permits it. As recounted in the gospels, “Jesus wept” – there are things in this world that are going to cause us to weep just as Jesus did.