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Lent, Day 32 - 2nd Station of the Cross


The scripture readings today are: Psalms 33, 102, 108; Jere 23:9-15, Rom. 9:1-18, & John 6:60-71

I am meditating on the Stations of the Cross - the various places and events that surrounded Jesus' death and burial - leading up to Good Friday. There are fourteen stations of the cross, and although there is a traditional one, I have modified it. Still, prayerfully, reflectively, meditatively, I want to think and pray on a daily basis the sacrifice of my Lord.

The second Station is: Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested

Scripture: Then, while [Jesus] was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, "the man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely." He came and immediately went over to him and said, "Rabbi." And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him.
Mark 14: 43-46

Very few of us have ever faced the pain of a traitor. History is full of names like Judas and Benedict Arnold, Brutus, and in more recent times, Aldrich Ames. What many of us have experienced is the failure of friendship, the person who we believed to be loyal to us turning out to be one who cared only for themself. What we do with people who fail us is more indicative of our own soul, than of our circumstances. If we believe that we are able to make choices and take even the worst of situations and direct them into new realms of living, we'll be fine. If we don't, we probably will live as a victim and never know the fruit of victory.

Jesus is not a victim. He is the one who knows one will betray him, yet never acts to change the circumstances, nor stop Judas from doing what is in his own free will. A friend does not take away another friend's freedom to choose -- even when that freedom is to choose harm towards them.
When I stop at this Station of the Cross, I see Jesus as the victor, not the victim. He knows what is going to happen as a result of Judas' action. What he feels, I believe, is pity and pain for Judas, not for himself.

A Prayer:

"Almighty God, you have brought us to this new day in victory, because of your Son's death on the cross. Help us to live in that victory, making choices that will reflect all that is good in you. Help us to keep our eyes focused on you...who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising it's shame. This we ask in Jesus' name, Amen."

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