Divine Mercy over Despair

Reflecting on Judas’ Betrayal 

On Wednesday of Holy Week, or “Spy Wednesday”, the story of Judas’ betrayal struck me. In reading the Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena, I continue to be overwhelmed and in awe of God’s love and mercy for every person. It is only through this lens that we can possibly understand why Christ said it would be better for Judas to have never been born. 

Divine Mercy: God’s Love 

Yesterday, we celebrated the Feast of Divine Mercy, which gives us a glimpse into the ocean of God’s love for us. Our virtue this week is one of the ways we can live each day open and receptive to His mercy and love. In Judas, we see misplaced loyalty. By stealing from the common purse, and betraying Christ for thirty pieces of silver, his selfish desires overpowered Judas, causing him to become his own judge. He hindered himself from seeing God’s love and docility and from trusting in Christ’s forgiveness. Judas had witnessed this incredible forgiveness when Christ saved the life of the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8: 1-11). He also, witnessed the outpouring of love and gratitude shown by the woman who poured precious ointment over Christ’s feet (Luke 7: 36-50; John 12: 1-8) instead scorning her actions. The avarice which gripped his heart prevented him from believing that he, too, could experience mercy. 

Sins’ Distortion of God 

Sin and vice prevent a faithful worldview and most especially deludes our perceptions of God. Like Adam and Eve, we foolishly hide and think He will not see us. If only we could recall His words to them, “Where are you?” (Gen. 3:9). When we fall into patterns of sin or turn away from His love and mercy, intentionally living the virtuous life is a safeguard and enables us to develop those inner dispositions toward goodness.  

What if Judas had Chosen Forgiveness? 

Just suppose Judas had been loyal to Jesus, generous and humble. Suppose he believed that the same forgiveness extended to the woman caught in adultery included him. Just suppose he could have wept and covered the ground with his tears (Matthew 27: 3-10). Instead, he became his own god and judged himself utterly refusing to believe that God’s mercy is greater than his betrayal.  

The Unforgiveable Sin 

This sin which can’t be forgiven is the one which refuses and scorns God’s mercy and forgiveness. Let me quote directly from the Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena: “For this offends me more than all the other sins they have committed. So, the despair of Judas, displeased me more and was a grater insult to my Son than his betrayal had been (36).” 

Embracing Divine Mercy 

I urge you during these days following the feast of Divine Mercy to spend time reflecting upon God’s love for you and the whole world. Don’t allow the fear or shame of sin cloud your judgment or cause you to believe that your sin is greater than God’s mercy. Let God be God – for all He desires since the foundation of the world is for us to live in communion with Him. Just look at the beauty and wonder of creation as this is a glimpse of what is to come for us. 

P.S. To learn more about God’s infinite Mercy, I invite you to watch/listen to this series.