Reflections on Holy Week: Jesus is Lord

In the gospel today Jesus tells his apostles that one of them will betray him. The apostles all question him by saying, “Surely it is not I, Lord.” But as Jesus furthers his point, Judas finally speaks up and says something very similar to the other apostles, but it is actually altogether different. Judas responds with, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi.”

The difference in Judas’ response is in the way in which he addresses Jesus. Judas calls Jesus Rabbi, which is a term meaning teacher. This speaks of how Judas viewed Jesus and how he placed himself in relation to Jesus. As his Rabbi, Judas recognized that Jesus had some level of authority over him. But the authority of a teacher is limited, for when the student learns what the teacher has taught, he rises to the level of the teacher; the teacher is no longer needed.

The other apostles address Jesus as Lord. Lord is a term that means not one who rules over another, but rather one who provides for and protects those under his charge. For them to call Jesus Lord was to willingly place themselves under not only Jesus’ full authority, but also under Jesus’ protection and care. In their response to Jesus telling them that one of them would betray Him, the apostles, one after another, each proclaimed Jesus as their Lord. The only one to not do this was Judas.

What does it mean for me to proclaim Jesus as my Lord? Can I honestly say that I have placed myself under Jesus’ authority, protection and care? So often we want His protection and care, but we aren’t willing to place ourselves also under the full authority of Jesus. This takes surrender. It takes laying down our lives and living the life of Christ. Judas was unwilling to do this, which led to his betrayal of Jesus.

On this Spy Wednesday, the Church invites us to contemplate Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. Not only to see how Judas went astray, but also to recall all the ways in which we, like Judas, betray Jesus in big and little ways in our own lives. As we reflect on this, may we also ask ourselves a very important question; who is Jesus to me? Do I know Jesus only as a good teacher or prophet? Do I know him only as an effective humanitarian or miracle-worker? Or do I know Jesus as my Lord and Savior? Jesus not only wants to teach us and lead us in loving God and neighbor. Jesus desires more than anything else to be the Lord and Savior of our whole lives. This is our redemption!

Jesus I am so sorry for all the ways I have betrayed you. Please help me to be able to place myself under your full authority. You are the giver of life. You are the light of the world. You have redeemed me by your cross and resurrection. Give me the grace today to proclaim you as my Lord and Savior today and always.

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