Gospel
John 13:21-33,36-38
'What you are going to do, do quickly'
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. 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.’ 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.
When he had gone Jesus said:
‘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.’
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.’
Reflection
In this deeply human moment, Jesus Christ reveals both divine knowledge and tender vulnerability. He knows betrayal is coming—yet He still shares the table, offers bread, and speaks with love. Judas Iscariot chooses darkness, stepping out into the night, while Simon Peter, full of zeal, overestimates his own strength and will soon falter.
This Gospel reminds us that betrayal and weakness are not far from any human heart. Sometimes we turn away knowingly, like Judas. Other times, we fail despite good intentions, like Peter. Yet, in both cases, Jesus remains steady—offering love, truth, and ultimately redemption. Even in the face of denial and betrayal, His mission continues: to glorify God through love that does not give up.
Question for Reflection
In moments of weakness or fear, do I turn away from Christ, or do I remain open to His mercy and return to Him?
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You know my heart—its strength and its weakness.
When I am tempted to turn away, give me courage to remain with You.
When I fall, draw me back with Your mercy and love.
Help me to trust not in my own strength, but in Your grace.
Amen.
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