Of course, there are many heartbreaking aspects of Holy Week.
One that is painful to watch is Judas.
Starting with complaining about wasting the expensive oil, to betraying our Lord, trying to undo it, to committing suicide.
It’s like watching a train wreck and not being able to peel your eyes away. But it also shows something important.
When something goes wrong, there are two paths you can take.
You can repent, humble yourself, and turn away from that path. That’s what Saint Peter does. That’s why he’s an example for the Church.
Or you can take the other path—compounding sin with more sin. Bad decisions with more bad decisions.
Until you get to a point where you ask, “How in the world did I get here?”
A place of such despair and darkness that there seems to be no way out.
That’s Judas.
He betrayed Jesus. That was the sin. But then he doubled down. He despaired. He refused to believe forgiveness was possible.
Peter also betrayed Jesus. Three times. But Peter wept. Peter repented. Peter turned back.
The difference wasn’t that one sin was worse than the other.
The difference was what they did after.
For each of us, wherever we are, we have that opportunity to turn back to our Lord.
So I’ll say: Don’t be Judas in doubling down on sin. Don’t be Judas in refusing to believe forgiveness is possible.
Don’t compound the sin with despair.
Turn back. Repent. Believe that mercy is real.
Be like Peter.
Let us pray.
Lord, when we fall, give us the grace to turn back to You. Help us believe that Your mercy is greater than our sin. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Keep fighting the good fight. Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
