Matthew’s gospel today describes the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, one of his disciples. Who approaches the chief priests offering to betray Jesus and is given thirty pieces of silver. Then he joins the other disciples at the supper.
Jesus announces “One of you will betray me.” “Surely it is not I?” Judas says. “You have said so,” Jesus answers.
We wonder what Judas’ motives were and how God ultimately judged him.
Our first reading from the Book of Isaiah focuses on the Servant of God, Jesus, who does not turn away from his work of forgiveness, in spite of those who beat him. Though “an outcast to his brothers and a stranger to his mother’s sons” he does not draw back from the work of mercy.
“Lord, in your great love answer me,” he says in the psalm response “for the poor and his own in bonds.” Is his prayer for Judas?
The Victor's Place 
Father Victor,
THANK YOU for a fresh perspective! In my heart of hearts, a resounding YES, with the evidence in Paul’s letter (1 Timothy 2:4) “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
and Peter’s general epistle (2 Peter 3:9) “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
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