Daily Catholic Lectio
Tuesday, 26 March 2024
Tuesday of the Holy Week
Isaiah 49:1-6. John 13:21-33, 36-38
Three questions
At the Last Supper, after washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus engages in a long conversation with them. The gospel reading puts forward three questions that Simon Peter asks. All three of these questions are directed at Jesus: (a) ‘Master, who is it?’ (b) ‘Master, where are you going?’ and (c) ‘Master, why can’t I follow you?’
(a) ‘Master, who is it?’
The beloved disciple asks this question to Jesus on behalf of Simon Peter. The question is raised with curiosity to know about the one who is going to betray Jesus. Jesus, who does not answer the question in words, answers with the gesture of dipping the morsel of bread and giving it to Judas.
(b) ‘Master, where are you going?’
Simon Peter asks this question directly to Jesus. Jesus does not answer the question but foretells the path that Simon Peter would take.
(c) ‘Master, why can I not follow you?’
The third question of Simon Peter to Jesus contains a layer of apprehension, helplessness, and courage.
Jesus, answering these questions, reveals that one will betray him and another will deny him.
In the first reading, Prophet Isaiah, talking about his vocation, writes, “The Lord called me from birth; from my mother’s womb, he gave me my name… I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord.”
In the light of the first reading, when we look at the characters of Judas and Simon Peter, we tend to feel that their betrayal and denial were planned by God. Judas assumes this role on his own, while Peter assumes it due to the circumstances. But Jesus knows about their actions. Later, other disciples, too, would abandon Jesus.
Often times, in our reflections, especially at the Stations of the Cross, we come heavy on Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial. We label them, curse them, and condemn them. Today, let us be compassionate towards them. In the long drama of the salvific plan of God, they played their little roles and disappeared. We are playing our roles now. And we, too, will disappear!
Even though the Twelve desert him, one betrays him, and one denies him, Jesus loves them till the end. Jesus’ love for them was not defined by how they behaved. Jesus loved them not because of what they were, but in spite of what they were.
Secondly, for every one of us, God has destined a purpose. To some, it is revealed – to Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, and Joseph. To some, it is given through clues – Judas, Peter. We need to find our life purpose. At times, we tend to live like others, trying to adopt others’ purposes into our lives. When we do so, we betray our Creator.
Above all, Jesus moves towards his destiny. He instructs Judas, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’ We, too, must do things quickly. We don’t have much time.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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