Listening to St Matthew's account of the events leading up to the death of Jesus, I am struck again at the dynamics so well known and at work up to our day: the opportunism of politicians, the arrogance and cynicism of religious leaders, the hysteric and manipulated masses, a hand full of terrified people who have tasted the truth - and a couple of women sensitive to justice and truth.
There can hardly be enough meditation of this, taking turns in identifying with the disciples, with Jesus, with Pilate, then with Peter, then with the maid, and with Jesus again. The God-forsakenness is to be found in the dynamics and the rolling event in itself.
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...and Judas. A much misunderstood and maligned character - unfairly so. Someone on whom we project our own darkest motives, a 'scapegoat' if ever there was one. I have recently watched two enactments of the passion story, in which the role and character of Judas - and his relationship with Jesus - is portrayed in a new light. I do believe, however misguided, Judas really thought he was doing the right thing, at the time. He loved his Lord, and wanted to DO something to bring events to a conclusion. 'If he's actually put on trial, he'll be given the chance to prove himself..'
ReplyDeleteIn this sense, we could say that, of all the disciples, Judas was the only one prepared to do something risky in the hope of saving his master.
Over EAster I've begun to read some Grace Jantzen and wonder about much of our concetration on the death and Good Friday aspects of the gospel story - perhaps we should become less mortal and more natal as she suggests?
ReplyDeleteAnyway thansk for your post - please keep writing!