Introduction: our eleventh ‘Lectio Divina’ follows the topic of the previous month, from the same Gospel of Mark 14:10-11; 43-45. This texts illustrates one of the last set of failures by the disciples in the following of Jesus, the Messiah, the suffering Servant. 

Initial Prayer
Lord God, 

Open our hearts and minds

to understand and see all that 

your Son Jesus does and says 

to us in our daily life;

do not permit us to harden our hearts. 

 Amen.

‘Lectio Divina’

1. Read the Gospel of Mark 14:10-11; 43-45, read it slowly and listen attentively to the scriptures with the ‘ear of your heart’. What word, sentence or phrase stands out for you? 

2. Reflect: read the passage again and pay attention of what touches you; why is it meaningful for you. What thought or reflection comes to you.  

3. Respond: read the passage again but this time respond spontaneously to the word of God. In other words, make a dialogue with God what comes from within you. What gift does this passage lead me to ask for from the Lord? 

4. Stay with the Word: read the passage a final time and rest in the word. Allow God to speak to you in deep silence. Don’t say anything just listen to God’s words. What is He saying? 

5. Take now the word, sentence or phase, into your daily life/activity; allow it to become part of you. Always listen to it, reflect on it, pray over it and rest on it as time allows during the day. Then allow the Word lead you action. 

Concluding your ‘Lectio Divina’ with the ‘Our Father’…  

Reflection

Introduction: Mark 10:10-11; 43-45, Mark wrote his gospel to a Christian community persecuted by the emperor and facing many trials and sufferings. We look at the disciples in special way at Judas Iscariot who was called by Jesus to be one of the twelve, but betrayed him and was unable to accept him as the Suffering Servant, the true Messiah. Judas in fact calls Jesus Teacher/Mentor (Mk14:46).

Central Message: a) Judas makes a deal with the chief priests, b) Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss. 

Main points: 

1. Judas makes a deal with the chief priests. Judas being one of the twelve disciples was in a close relationship with Jesus like the rest of the apostles. Jesus knew that he was to betray him, despite this Jesus chose him as one of his close friends. The bible does not say what motivated Judas to betray Jesus, but Jesus knew that it was part of God’s plan. We know very little about Judas, the only thing we know is that he loved money (cfr. Jn 12:3-8) and that he was the treasurer of the disciples. As Satan already enter Judas, he went to the chief priests to help them take Jesus to prison as they promised him some money for handing Jesus over to them. Judas would find an occasion and place to betray Jesus. The chief priests were delighted to hear it as they needed inside help to conspire against Jesus and to corner him away from the crowds. 

2. Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss. In Mk 14:18, Jesus announces that one of his disciples will betray him “one of you eating with me”, he said. He knew who he was but he was convinced that his love for his chosen ones is greater than the betrayal.  Judas leading armed men with swords and clubs arrived at Gethsemane; then he kissed his Master as arranged with the chief priest as a signal of his betrayal. The sing of love and friendship becomes the sign of betrayal. We still don’t know why Judas betrayed Jesus; the Gospel of Mark does not give us any clue but, what we know by the Mathew’s Gospel 27:3-10, is that he regretted taking part in his arrest. Jesus after his arrest tried to bring some meaning of all that is happening: “this is to fulfil the scriptures (Mk 14:49)…And they all (the disciples) left him and run away (Mk 14:50).  

Some questions for our reflexion:

1. What touches you most in the relationship between Jesus and Judas?
2. If you were among the disciples what would be your reaction at Jesus arrest? 
3. What would you say to Jesus; what would you say to Judas?