Musings on the Passion and Judas and Good Thief
And He answered and said, “The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” (Matthew 26:24; Mark 14:21) Dear Seamus: Historically it is an accepted conclusion that Judas went immediately to Hell after he died. The above statement of Jesus, on the night He was betrayed by Judas, is used as proof. But is it true that Judas is in Hell? Consider the elapsed time between the Judas ‘kiss’ and judgment of his soul by God. Was there anything Judas could do in that interim that could save himself? What actions by him are reported to have occurred? He saw that Jesus permitted Himself to be arrested, tried and condemned to be crucified. Was this a shock to Judas? After all in the three years with Jesus, Jesus always took evasive action when actions to kill Him occurred. This time Jesus did nothing. We are told that Judas became upset and went to the High Priests. They refused to release Jesus and refused the 30 pieces of silver Judas offered. We are told that Judas was filled with remorse and he had no where to go to make things right; so he went out and hung himself. Judas had no access to Jesus, the other apostles didn’t either, to express his remorse and ask forgiveness. During this elapsed time do you really think that Judas did not cry out for help even to the end when he was slowly twisting in the wind? Do you really think that after three years of watching Jesus bestow mercy on others, his soul didn’t ask for mercy? Our Lady of Medjugorda says only those soul who hate her Son go to Hell. Did the reported actions of Judas, after his betrayal, indicate his hatred? Jesus dictated to St. Faustina His thoughts on His Divine Mercy. In the diaries of St. Faustina Jesus promises that every sinner will be saved from Hell if they come to Him for mercy. We, along with Judas, are sons of God and heirs of Heaven. It is sufficient that one asks for mercy and express sorrow. Wouldn’t you say that Judas would likely do so? Do you think that three years with Jesus as His apostle, wouldn’t propel his desires to ask for His mercy?“…. it would have been better for that man if he had not been born” is used by many as a threat to someone should they do an evil deed. It is called ‘the inferno’ threat, often heard at religious retreats. Thinking that the evildoer has no hope of salvation is a monstrous denial of Jesus’ role of King of Divine Mercy.The ‘good thief’ unwillingly faced death during the Passion. Most people were convinced that day that he would go to Hell. The elapsed time between his conviction and his death provided him, and the other thief, opportunity to reflect on their actions with hardly any hope of escaping death. There they are hanging on their cross awaiting death and severely suffering great agony. No hope.Then Jesus and the High Priests appear with Jesus carrying His cross. Priest and others are jeering Jesus to prove He is the Messiah by coming down from His cross, and then they would follow Him. They both saw the sign, INRI, nailed to the up beam of the cross, which described Jesus as King of the Jews. What wonderment this scene was to them. One thief said to Jesus to save him also. The other thief said to him that they merited death by their actions. Then he looked at Jesus, who had cried out to the heavens saying: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do!” referring to the High Priests and the mob. He cried out for mercy to Jesus: “Remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”Jesus turned to this ‘good’ thief with love and compassion and said: “This day you will be with Me in Paradise!” Wow! How many people used the ‘inferno’ invective saying that he would end up in Hell? This thief recognized the goodness of Jesus and also knew the depth of his own evilness. The gap was enormous. He wanted what Jesus had. Jesus granted his wish, Divine Mercy.We know that the thief went to Heaven. Judas? We know nothing. Judas’s soul, created by God, had a built in affinity to gain its inheritance. Our Lady of Medjugorda and the dictation of Jesus to St. Faustina on support the notion that there are many roads to Heaven. The natural aspirations in our souls must be used to influence our will to help us to ask for God’s Divine Mercy. Deus Miserere nobis,
Paulus
Submitted by Paul D Kearns
Responses to: kearnsmusings@aol.com Mar 29, 2008 ©
