Jesus knows Everything.

Homily for April 11, 2017.

One thing that is so clear from today’s Gospel passage is that there is nothing we can hide from God. Not only did Jesus predict the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, he also predicted that Peter would deny him three times.

One might ask, if Jesus knew these would happen, why do they still deserve blame? By mentioning at all, Jesus was giving the last chance to Judas Iscariot to repent. Perhaps by openly telling them that one of them would betray him, Judas should have thought twice about it.

However, Judas joined in the chorus of denial. He also asked: “Is it I, Master?” Dear friends, this is not something unique to Judas, when we make up our minds to do something evil, we continue living in denial until we have done it.

You are about to leave the house to attend a friend’s party and yet you are asked, “Where are you going?” You tell a white lie that you are going to the Church to attend Holy Week Choir practice and you further qualify the lie by saying the practice might last till late in the night since there are so many activities for Holy Week. Unknown to you, your mum who is asking you where you are going was also invited.

We are told that as soon as Judas ate the morsel of bread, satan entered him. When God gives us a chance to repent and we ignore God, determined to proceed with evil, satan takes over. We reach a point of no-return! Just as satan entered Cain after God had warned him to control his anger but he refused and went ahead to murder Abel.

Jesus knowing fully well what would happen is not depressed at Judas’ decision to proceed with betrayal instead he speaks of glory. If I knew my best friend was about to betray me, would I be thinking of glory or of possible revenge? Will I be happy or sad? Jesus was able to talk about glory because his mind was fixed on the final end – the joy of heaven.

When we fix our mind on our final destination, heaven, we can afford to overlook petty insults and betrayal. It is easier to forgive when we know that we are going to a place where a record of past hurts is totally unnecessary.

Dear friends, God knows everything. He knows the innermost thoughts of our hearts but each moment, he keeps giving us chance to repent; to change our mind; to decide to do good instead of evil.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, may I never be susceptible to satan’s suggestions. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the Holy Week. Bible Study: Isaiah 49:1-6 and John 13:21-38).

Fr. Abu.