Date: April 8, 2020 ()

Bible Text: First Reading: IS 50:4-9A; Gospel: MT 26:14-25 |

Series:

Can we follow the Lord all the way through?

In Liberation Theology, communists were, so to speak, attracted to the teachings of Christ because there are some principles in their ideology that are also found in the social teachings of the church. But despite the convergence, there is always a point of departure. In Marx’s Dialectical Materialism, the theory (adopted as the official philosophy of the Soviet communists) believes that political and historical events result from the conflict of social forces and are interpretable as a series of contradictions and their solutions. The conflict is believed to be caused by material needs. Then, true liberation can only be achieved if the gap between the proletariats and the bourgeoisie will be leveled and the material needs are provided for. For a radical communist, there is no heaven, thus, “the death of God” by Nietzsche.

Contrary to our Christian conviction, Jesus taught us that true liberation is being free from the enslavement of the earthly wants and desires, and the fullness of freedom is our Union with God in the eternity to come. Communism can only join with the Man Jesus but not with the Resurrected Christ.

In today’s gospel, Jesus said: “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me.” Judas joins in the circle of Jesus as everyone was openly invited by the Lord to be in his company and friendship. But, Judas followed the Lord in as much as the company of Jesus can still serve his selfish interests. But when things didn’t seem to work according to his own way of thinking, he was ready to give up the Lord.

We have shared meals with Jesus at the celebration of the Eucharist. We eat the bread of Life; We drink the Chalice of Salvation. But it’s good to ask ourselves, up to what extent is our following to Him? Can we stay with Him despite seeing Him seemingly helpless before the violent scourge of sin and death? Can we follow the Lord all the way through?

In these Holy Days, let us listen to words of Jesus echo in our hearts: Stay with me and pray!