Correction

“My children, remember that hell is full of closed mouths.” (Saint Josemaria, “Friends of God”, at 160).

Kiss of Judas (Miki De Goodaboom)

It is very difficult to watch a person who you love very much make mistakes.

The difficulty is that when you love a person it is very important part of your life and you are watching them do things that you firmly believe are the wrong thing to do, and still being able to respect their freedom.

I have been reflecting on this very much over the last few days and weeks.  You see, God Himself does not stop us.  God, Himself – who loves us so much that He suffered and died for us – will not intervene to remove our free will.

When Judas Iscariot was betraying Christ, and Christ knew what was to happen He did not bring down Heaven or end the world to stop Judas – He did not hold Judas in a gridlock and prevent him from leaving the room.  Instead, He told Judas to do what he needed to do quickly…

“Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.  The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’  Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?’  Jesus answered, ‘You have said so.’” (Matthew 26:23-25).

And I have been reflecting on this.  Because Christ did not love Judas less.  This is not why He did not stop Judas, He loved Judas so much that He would not interfere with Judas’ right to free will, even to his own very suffering and death.  Christ – in this, literally lays down His life for His friend, Judas, even when Judas betrayed Him…

And I have been thinking about that as I have been thinking about all the times in my own life where I encounter the problem of observing a loved one make mistakes.

And there is merit in bringing to the person’s attention – gently – my views.  Christ did this with Judas through His teachings.  He was able to inform the apostles – including Judas – of what He required and expected.  And still Judas – with all of those advantages – made such a mistake.

Saint Josemaria wrote in “Friends of God” at 160, “My children, remember that hell is full of closed mouths.”

And I have been thinking of that perspective today.  Imagine if one of his brothers – the apostles – had known what Judas was about to do?  Imagine if they had a chance to reason with him and convince him that what he had done was wrong?  Instead, Judas kept everything to himself – as we so often do with sin – and in that isolation he killed God…

And I have been thinking about that today as I have been thinking about my Beloved.  For it seems that I have a responsibility to stay alert to evil by remaining transparent.  Without that, I really have no hope for the future…

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.