The Kiss of Judas.

I.

" Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near to Jesus for to kiss Him. And he that betrayed Him gave them a sign, saying: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is He; hold Him."

The example of Judas is one to make us tremble. He came from the band nearest to our Lord, those devoted to His service, trained and taught by Himself.

Who then can feel safe ? Who then, however long He may have served God, or however zealously, can feel sure of perseverance ? To each of us it is said, " Take heed to thyself lest thou fall."

II.

"And forthwith coming to Jesus, he said: Hail, Rabbi. And he kissed Him."

The kiss of Judas was the worst outrage of the Passion; and the infidelity of one specially consecrated to His service, or who has lived in the full light of His faith and love, is far more bitter to the Heart of Jesus than the vices of the ignorant and altogether worldly. A sacrilegious communion closely resembles the kiss of Judas.

Will you not make reparation to the wounded and outraged Heart of your Master ?

III.

" And Jesus said unto him: Friend, wherefore art thou come ? Judas, dost thou betray the Son of Man with a kiss ?"

Even the deadly hypocrisy of Judas met with tenderness from the Heart of Jesus. Even now repentance was possible to him.

Have you ever betrayed the love of Jesus, for the world, for a creature, for a passion ?

Every sin is a treachery against our Master.

Those tender words did pierce the heart of Judas, but he would not humble himself, and so fell into despair.

Then let each of us watch, pray, tremble; but above all, love and trust our Saviour.

The Apprehension of our Lord.

I.

" Judas having reqeived a band of soldiers and servants, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore went forward, and said to them : Whom seek ye ?"

Our Lord has no fear of men, for He was perfect innocence.

And in His service we should have no fear. What can prevent our duty ?

"Whom seek ye?"

Are yon really seeking our Lord; or, under the pretence of so doing, serving yourself ?

II.

" They answered Him; Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith to them: I am He."

Never will He deny Himself to those who ask for Jesus of Nazareth. He will either give consolation to His own, or terror to His enemies.

" They went backward, and fell to the ground."

If He could thus terrify His enemies when He was their victim, what will it be when He is their Judge ?

Do you so live that Jesus may often say to you, " I am He" ?

III.

" Again therefore He asked them: Whom seek ye ? And they said: Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered: I have told you that I am He. If therefore you seek Me, let these go their way."

How tender is the Heart of Jesus! He is thinking of the Apostles, who had not thought of Him in His agony.

"That the word might be fulfilled, which He said: Of those whom Thou hast given Me, I have not lost any one."

And thus He watches over us now. What can we fear when we serve so good a Master ?

Keep close to Him ; be ever among those who are given to Him, and whom He shall never lose.

These meditations (here) are from the book entitled, Short Meditations for every day of the year according to the Method of St. Ignatius. These Meditations are almost entirely an abridged translation of "La Vie de N. S. Jesus Christ Meditee/' by the author of " Avis Spirituels." Some few of the Meditations are exceptions.