Betrayal starts with the little things. A little drop of your guard, a little taking your eyes off Jesus (e.g. Mt 14:30), accompanied by a lack of repentance, and soon you break faith with Jesus about a little thing, such as misuse of money. This is how Judas, who literally followed Jesus for three years, started on his path to becoming a spy and a betrayer. Judas was trusted to be the treasurer of the apostles, but started helping himself to the money (Jn 12:6) and did not repent.

If you can't be trusted in little things, like faithfulness with money, you can't be trusted in greater things (see Lk 16:10), such as being faithful to Jesus no matter what. After failing enough little tests, Judas soon regarded Jesus as a "little thing." Amazingly, Judas sold the Son of God for the pittance of a month's pay! (Mt 26:15) Some wanted criminals fetch greater bounties than that!

There's a little Judas in each of us. We all have the potential to use the benefits of discipleship for selfish purposes. If we start down that path, we begin changing from a disciple to a "spy" (see Gal 2:4). Then it's only a "little" step to the act of betraying Jesus.

During Holy Week, Judas looked for opportunities to betray Jesus (Mt 26:16), rather than looking to be discipled by Him. During this Holy Week, Jesus is asking you: "What are you looking for?" (Jn 1:38). Repent! "Fix your eyes on Jesus" (Heb 3:1). Don't miss what Jesus wants to do in your life this week.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 16, 2006

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