Scripture in Action

No words can describe the heartache when people close to us turn their backs on us. But God teaches us an important lesson here: to depend on him, not on people.

Jesus warned against using violence to solve problems or achieve one's goals. We must seek peaceful and nonviolent solutions to the challenges we face in life. 

Judas is universally reviled and despised, but if we aren't careful, we can follow in his footsteps without realizing it.

Jesus said, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Truer words were never spoken. How can we strengthen the spirit?

Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane challenges us to reflect on our own willingness to take up our own "cup of suffering" and follow Jesus, even when it means walking a difficult and painful path.

Like Peter, we too often make bold promises to God and fail to keep them. When this happens, let us remember to trust in the love and mercy of God and his unceasing grace. 

Christ’s blood serves as a basis for a new covenant between God and humanity. Whenever we celebrate communion, we are called to recall this new covenant, and our new birth that results from it.

Judas didn’t think of the long-term consequences of his betrayal; he just thought of the immediate pay-off. We can do the same thing too, sacrificing eternal life for temporal satisfaction. 

Jesus was committed to observing and honoring the rites and rituals of his people. We also need to, but we must be careful that we don’t do this mindlessly.

Why did Judas betray Jesus? While greed seems to be the apparent motive, there might have been other reasons why Judas sold out the Savior.