In proditionem Judae

Of the Same Author: On the Betrayal of Judas. Now Daphne is delightful and beloved of God, not only because it pours forth exceedingly clear streams, not only because it nurtures the most graceful foliage of trees, but because it has taken in a new plant, the cross; now it is truly a chaste spring and fearsome to the Pythian demon. No longer does it spread its ground for the feet of impious men, but it offers its grove to you, the pious, an image of that longed-for place, I mean the garden, where the betrayal of the Savior was dared and the matters of our salvation were planted. But I do not know what to say regarding the present festival; for the festival moves my tongue to accuse Judas, but the philanthropy of the Savior turns my mouth toward it. And I am constrained by these two things: hatred of the traitor, longing for the Master; but longing conquers hatred, being greater and more powerful. Therefore, leaving the traitor behind, I hymn the benefactor, not as much as he is worthy, but as much as I am able, I praise him. How did he bend the heavens and descend to the earth? How did he, who fills all creation, come to me, becoming for my sake, like me? How did he take as a disciple one whom he knew would be a traitor, and command the enemy to follow him as a friend? How was he not concerned about the betrayal, but cared for the salvation of the one who would betray? For when evening came, it says, Jesus reclined with his twelve disciples, and while they were eating, he said: "Truly, truly I say to you, that one of you will betray me." He foretold the betrayal in order to prevent the transgression.

He made the prediction impersonal, unable to parade the disciple's lawlessness while it escaped the notice of those reclining at table. Who has beheld such philanthropy from a Master? He is betrayed, and he loves the traitor. Who is despised and yet pities? He is sold, and he receives the wicked merchant as a fellow diner, and spares the one who plotted against him? And while they were eating, he said, "Truly, truly I say to you that one of you will betray me." As a man he ate, and as God he proclaimed the future; he undertakes what befits my nature for my sake. When all the disciples were struck by the word, and were scourging their own consciences terribly, making the time of dinner a time of despondency, each saying, "Surely it is not I, Lord?" and wishing through the word of the question to find freedom from the evil suspicion, the Savior, healing the souls of those struck unseasonably, makes the unknown one manifest through his answer: "The one who dips his hand with me in the dish," he says, "this one will betray me." And the Son of Man goes away, as is written about him. But woe to that man, through whom the Son of Man is betrayed; it would have been well for him if that man had never been born. He pities the one who does not wish to pity himself, he spares the one who did not spare his own soul. He refused to expose the one who had long ago exposed himself, giving him an opportunity for repentance, and healing the despondent among the other disciples; but from all this the traitor became no better.

For it was necessary for him immediately to rise from the supper after those most terrifying words, necessary to take his fellow disciples as ambassadors, necessary to embrace the knees of the Savior and to appease him with such words as these: "I have sinned, O lover of mankind, I have sinned, I have done wrong, having sold the priceless pearl to men for a small price, I have done wrong, having squandered the inexhaustible wealth for a few coins. Forgive me, the merchant of loss and ruin, forgive me, whose reason was stolen by gold; pardon me, who was wickedly deceived by the Pharisees." None of these words did he say, nor did he conceive them, but with a quicker voice he revealed the impudence of his soul, crying out: "Surely it is not I, Lord?" O shameless tongue! O unyielding soul! As if ignorant, he asks about what he had plotted, and thought to escape the notice of the sleepless eye. He carried treachery in his soul and brought forth the word of ignorance through his tongue; he accomplished betrayal in his mind and, as he thought, hid the sin with his mouth.

He used words like the other disciples, but not in the same manner; being a wolf in purpose, he answered with the voice of sheep. What then did the Savior say to him? "You have said it." With a patient voice he exposed the villain's disguise. For he could have said to him: "What are you saying, abominable and wicked one? What are you saying, slave of money and genuine companion of the devil? Do you dare to feign ignorance? Do you dare to hide what cannot be hidden? Was I not present when you were working evil against the divinity? Did I not see you with the eye of divinity approaching the high priests? Was I not hearing you, though absent, saying, 'What do you wish to give me, and I will deliver him to you?' Do I not know even for how much you sold him? What then? After such refutation, are you still so shameless? Why do you strive to conceal what you intend to do? All things are naked to me." Although Christ could have answered in this way, he did not speak thus, but simply, patiently, and gently: "You have said it," teaching us to treat our enemies in this manner.

Nevertheless, after such a circuit, Judas remained sick, not because of the physician's neglect, but because of the patient's own fault. For the physician brought all the remedies of salvation, but he was unwilling to receive them; knowing only love of money, he loved gold more than Christ, and became well-disposed and faithful to those who hired him. And Judas came and said to Christ, "Hail, Rabbi," and kissed him. This is a strange manner of betrayal, coming from a kiss and a greeting. And Jesus said to him, "Comrade, for what purpose have you come? Why do you bid me rejoice, when you intend to grieve? Why do you flatter with the word, while striking with the deed? You call me teacher, yet you are not a disciple? Why do you wound the rights of love? Why do you make the symbol of peace a sign of betrayal? Whom did you imitate in doing this? Did you see the harlot kissing my feet in this way? Did you behold the centurion kneeling in this way? Did you see the demons prostrating themselves in this way? I know who showed you the way of this deceitful kiss: the devil suggested to you the manner of this embrace, and you, persuaded by an evil counselor, fulfill his will. Comrade, for what purpose have you come? Fulfill the evil agreements you have made with the Pharisees; complete the document of the sale; sign what you have dictated; hand over the one who wishes to be handed over; keep henceforth both the money-box and the purse of injustice; withdraw for the robber who is about to receive through confession the rank which you lost through betrayal.

Then they came forward, laid their hands on Jesus, and seized him. And that prophetic saying was fulfilled: "They surrounded me like bees around a honeycomb, and they were inflamed like fire among thorns"; and again, "Many dogs surrounded me; fat bulls encompassed me." But O the forbearance befitting him alone! While in heaven the Cherubim and Seraphim dare not gaze upon his surpassing glory, covering their faces with their wings as with hands, on earth he endured his flesh being seized by lawless hands. Do you see of what a long-suffering and philanthropic Master you have become servants? Therefore become such toward your fellow servants who are enemies as you have seen the Lord become toward his foes. For you too are about to be summoned to a spiritual banquet; you are about to recline with the Master. Let no Judas in character be found among you. All of you approach with calm and peace; let us all run to the Savior with a clear conscience. For this is the fast and the feast of the faithful; this is the nourisher and the nourishment; this is the shepherd and the lamb. Glory to him for ever and ever. Amen.