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Readings: Isaiah 49:1-6 -- John 13:21-33, 36-38 -- Psalm 71
Isaiah sings a song of liberation through the Servant of the Lord. Not only will He be a blessing
to Israel, all the ends of the earth -- the Gentiles -- will be saved and blessed.
In today's Gospel, that Servant is at risk of attack and death. Violence from strangers is bad, but
when it comes from your closest friends and associates, the situation gets worse. We are
reminded that Jesus and his disciples, even though they were poor, regularly gave alms to the
poor. It is the one who handles the treasury that raises his hand against Jesus in betrayal.
This tragic evil remains with us today and the Messiah is ever at risk. Jesus is betrayed, virtually
every time that Congress is in session. Jesus is betrayed, as poor people prey on other poor
people, committing violence, destroying community, corrupting young people. Jesus is betrayed,
as rich people prey on the poor, destroying their neighborhoods to build pleasure palaces and
high rent shopping and apartment districts. Jesus is betrayed, as special interest groups demonize
the poor, slander them and bear false witness against them.
It's also a story of pride. Sure Jesus, I will do anything for you. But when the going gets rough,
what happens before the rooster crows three times?
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