JUDAS ISCARIOT

                          JUDAS ISCARIOT

                                by

                         HARRIET SHIKOSKI

To my readers;

     Many details included in this story of Judas Iscariot originated in the visions of Ven. Anne Emmerick (1774-1824).  She was a German Augustinian nun who was told in vision that she was privileged to receive more visions than had any other person in history.  Her visions were recorded by Clemens Bretano, arranged and edited by the very Reverend Carl E. Schmoger, C.SS.R. and translated from German into English.  In my turn I have also picked and arranged the material.

     How true are the details acquired in this fashion?  Even conceding that the private revelations to Sr. Anne Catherine were accurate portrayals, it would be a miracle indeed if they retained such accuracy after passing through so many human minds.

     Bible references are included, not in an effort to prove the truth of these events as stated here, but to help you compare the two different sources.

     Though the total accuracy may be questioned, I still believe that the following story of Judas captures his true character and helps us to understand the man who played such a vital part in God's plan to redeem His people.

                          JUDAS ISCARIOT

     The mother of Judas Iscariot at one time led a wandering life, for she was a public dancer and singer.  She belonged to the family of Jephte's wife, who lived in the land of Tob. (Judges 11:1-3)  Judas' mother was a poetess, composing songs and anthems, which she sang with harp accompaniment.  She taught young girls to dance, and carried with her from place to place all sorts of feminine finery and new fashions.  At the time of Judas' birth her husband, a Jew, was not with her; he lived at Pella, one of the ten cities of the Decapolis.  Judas was an illegitimate child whose father was an officer in the army near Damascus.  He was born at Ascalon on one of his mother's professional journeys, but she soon freed herself from the incumbrance by exposing the child.  Shortly after his birth, he was abandoned on the water's edge.  But being found by some rich people with no children of their own, they cared for the child and bestowed upon him a liberal education.  Later on however he turned out to be a bad boy and, through some kind of knavery, fell again to the care of his mother who assumed the charge for pay.  The husband of his mother, becoming acquainted with the boy's origin, had cursed him.

   
  Judas received some wealth from his natural father.  He was possessed of much wit.  After the death of his parents, he lived mostly in Iscariot with his Uncle Simeon, the tanner, and helped him in his business.  He was not as yet a villain, but a glib talker, greedy for wealth and honor, and without stability.  He was neither given up to dissipation nor a man without religion, for he adhered strictly to all the precepts of the Jewish Law.  He was a man that could be influenced as easily to the best things as to the worst.  With all his cleverness, courteousness, and obligingness, there was a shade of darkness, of sadness in the expression of his countenance coming from his avarice, his ambition, his secret envy of even the virtues of others.

     Simeon, a brother of Judas' deceased father, was engaged in agriculture and tanning hides near Iscariot, a little place of about twenty houses.  Iscariot belonged to the town of Meroz, and lay toward the east only a short distance from it.  Judas' parents had lived there a long time, and even after their death he had generally made it his home, accounting for his identifying name of Iscariot.

     Judas was not exactly ugly; there was something pleasant in his countenance though at the same time, a hint of something mean and repulsive.  His father had something good in him, which Judas had inherited, but when as a boy he was returned to his mother, and because of him she was embroiled in a quarrel with her husband, she also cursed him.  Both she and her husband were jugglers.  They practiced all kinds of tricks; they were sometimes in plenty and as often in want.

     Andrew and John Zebedee were with John the Baptist at his place of Baptism.  Also present at the baptismal place were many of the disciples and most of the future Apostles.  Peter who had already been baptized, and Judas who was at the fishery around Bethsaida making inquiries concerning Jesus and John, were not with them at this time.

     When Jesus preached in the inn near Aruma, Judas was listening to Him.  He had come alone and not with the other disciples.  After listening to His instructions for two days, and exchanging remarks about it with the disaffected Pharisees, he departed for a neighboring village.  There he gave an account of what he had heard, talking with an air of importance to a pious man of the place, who invited Jesus to visit him.  Judas was carrying on some kind of business.  He was much occupied with writing, and held himself in readiness for general services of any kind.

     When Jesus and His disciples arrived at Aruma, which had been lately built and which on account of its mixed population was not in very good repute, Judas had departed.  Herod owned a castle in the neighborhood.  Abraham and Jacob had each offered sacrifice here, and here Esau had withdrawn when at variance with Jacob on the subject of the Blessing. (Gen 27:41 & Num 23:7)  Isaac at that time was living near Sichar.

     When Judas learned on the way that Jesus was going into the region of Meroz, where he, himself, was well known, he went to seek Bartholomew in Debbaseth.  They were already acquainted with each other.  Judas invited Bartholomew to go with him to Meroz and present him to Jesus.  Bartholomew expressed his willingness to do so, but first he went to Carpharnaum with Jude Thaddeus to see the disciples there.  Then with Thaddeus and Philip he went to Tiberias, where Simon Zelotes joined them.  They then stopped at Naim for Judas who had journeyed there to meet them.  Judas begged them again to present him to Jesus as one desirous of becoming a disciple.  They were well pleased to do so, for they took delight in his cleverness, his readiness to render service, and his courteous manner.

     Judas Iscariot may have been at that time twenty-five years old.  He was of middle height and pleasant looking.  His hair was of a deep black, his beard somewhat reddish.  In his attire he was perfectly neat and more elegant than the majority of Jews.  He was affable in address, obliging, and fond of making himself important.  He talked with an air of confidence about the great, or about persons renowned for holiness, affecting familiarity with such people when he found himself among those that did not know him.  But if anyone who knew better convicted him of untruth, he retired confused.  He coveted honors, distinctions, and money.  He was always in pursuit of good luck, always longing for fame, rank, a high position, or wealth, though not seeing clearly how all this was to come to him.

     The appearance of Jesus in public greatly encouraged him to hope for a realization of his dreams.  The disciples were provided for, the wealthy Lazarus took part with Jesus of whom every one thought that He was about to establish a kingdom.  He was spoken of on all sides as a King, as the Messiah, as the Prophet of Nazareth.  His miracles and wisdom were on every tongue.  Judas consequently conceived a great desire to be numbered as His disciple, and to share His greatness which, he thought, was to be that of this world.  For a long time previously he had picked up information of Jesus wherever he could, and had in turn carried around reports of Him.

     He had sought the acquaintance of several of the disciples, and was now nearing the object of his desires.  The chief motive that influenced him to follow Jesus was the fact that he had no settled occupation and only a half-education.  He had embarked in trade and commerce, but without success, and had squandered the fortune left him by his natural father.  Lately he had been executing all kinds of commissions, carrying on all kinds of business and brokerage for other people.  In the discharge of such affairs, he showed himself zealous and intelligent. 

     The disciples in the beginning were favorable inclined toward Judas on account of his obliging ways, for he was ready even to clean their shoes.  As he was an excellent walker, he at first made long journeys in the service of the little Community.

     Jesus had never before been in Meroz.  It was surrounded by a dry moat, which at times received some water from the mountain streams.  The place had a bad name in Israel on account of the perfidy of its inhabitants.  It had been peopled by the descendants of Aser and Gad, sons of Jacob and the handmaiden Zelpha, (Gen 30:9-13)  Some of them had intermarried with the gentiles of Sichem.  The other tribes refused to acknowledge the offspring of these mixed marriages, and they were despised likewise on account of their faithlessness and perfidy.  Meroz in consequence became an isolated place and its inhabitants, being thus cut off from much good, were likewise shielded from much evil.  They had fallen into oblivion, seeming to have faded from among men.

     Their chief occupations consisted in dressing skins, making leather, preparing furs and garments of the same, and manufacturing leather sandals, straps, girdles, shields, and military jerkins.  They brought the skins from afar on asses and dressed them partly near Meroz, using for that purpose a cistern supplied with water from their fountain in the city.  But because this itself was fed from an aqueduct and did not always have a full supply, they tanned the skins near Iscariot, a marshy region, a couple of hours to the west of Meroz and northward from Aser-Machmethat.  Ischariot was a desolate, little place of only a few dwellings.  Near by was a ravine through which a little stream flowed to the valley of the Jordan.  It was on its banks that the people of Meroz prepared their skins.  Judas and his parents had for some time lived in this locality, hence the surname Iscariot used for Judas.

     Jesus was very joyfully received by the poor citizens of Meroz at some distant from their city.  They knew of His approach and went out to meet Him, carrying sandals and garments for His use while they cleaned and brushed His own.  Jesus thanked them and went with the disciples into the city where they washed His feet and offered the customary refreshments.  The Pharisees came to salute Him.  Toward evening He taught in the synagogue before a large audience, taking for His subject the slothful servant and the buried talent. (Matt 25:14-30)  By this parable Jesus designated the inhabitants themselves.  Born of the maid-servant, they had received one talent only which they should have put out at interest; but instead of that they had buried it.  The Master was coming and they should hasten to gain something.  Jesus rebuked them also for their little love for their neighbor and their hatred of the Samaritans.

     The Pharisees were not well pleased with Jesus, but the people were so much more delighted, as they were very greatly oppressed by the Pharisees.  They also rejoiced likewise at Jesus' visit because their whole region seemed to lie forgotten by all the world, and no one ever came to help or instruct them in any way.

     After the sermon, Jesus went with His disciples to an inn that stood outside the western gate of the city.  Lazarus had erected it for their use on some ground that He owned in these parts.  Bartholomew, Simon Zelotes, Jude Thaddeus, and Philip came here to see Jesus, by whom they were cordially received.  They had already spoken with the disciples.  They dined with Jesus and remained over night.

     Jesus had often before seen Bartholomew, had given him an interior call to His service and had even spoken of him to the disciples.  Simon Zelotes and Thaddeus were His cousins.  Philip also was related to Him and, like Thaddeus, was already among the disciples.  Jesus had called all these to follow Him when, upon His last visit to Capharnaum at Peter's fishery on the lake, He had spoken of their soon being summoned to do so.  It was then, when fishing, that Peter had expressed himself as being so desirous of being allowed to remain at home as unfit for such a calling.  Then it was that Peter uttered the words that later on were recorded in the Gospel. (Luke 5:8)

     Judas Iscariot had also come with the newly arrived disciples to Meroz.  He did not however spend the evening with Jesus, but at a house in the city where he had often stayed before.  Bartholomew and Simon spoke with Jesus about Judas.  They said they knew him to be an active, well-informed man, very willing to be of service, and very desirous of a place among the disciples.  Jesus sighed as they spoke and appeared troubled.  When they asked Him the cause of His sadness, He answered, "It is not yet time to speak, but only to think of it."  He taught during the whole meal, and all slept at the inn.

     These newly arrived disciples had come from Capharnaum where they had met Peter and Andrew.  They had brought messages from there, and had also brought Jesus some money for the expenses of the journey, the charitable gift of the women.  Judas, having met them at Naim, accompanied them to Meroz.  Even at this early period, he was already known to all the disciples.

     Judas had recently been in Cyprus.  His manifold accounts of Jesus, of His miracle, of the various opinions formed of Him, namely, that some looked upon Him as the Son of David, others called Him the Christ, and the majority esteemed Him the greatest of the prophets.  He had made the Jews and pagans of the island very inquisitive with regard to Him.  They had also heard many wonderful things of His visit to Tyre and Sidon.  The Cyprian pagan, the officer who visited Jesus in Ophra, had in consequence of all these marvelous accounts, been sent there by his master, who was very much impressed by them.  Judas had accompanied the officer back to Cyprus.  On his return journey he stopped at Ornithopolis where the parents of Saturnin, originally from Greece, then lived.

     In the center of Meroz was a beautifully constructed fountain, the water of which was conducted through pipes from the neighboring mountain, at a little distance to the north of the city.  There were five galleries around the well, each of which contained a reservoir.  Into these reservoirs the water of the well could be pumped.  In the outer most gallery were little bathing houses, and the whole place could be enclosed.  These galleries around the well had many very sick persons belonging to the city.  Some of them, considered incurable, had been brought on beds.  Those having the worst conditions were placed in the little bathing houses in the outside circle.  Meroz, abandoned, despised, and helpless, possessed an astonishing number of sick, dropsical old people, paralytics, and sufferers of all kinds.

     Jesus went into the city, accompanied by the disciples, except Judas who had not yet been presented to Jesus.  The Pharisees of the place and some strangers who had come from a distance were present.  They took their stand at the center of the fountain where they could see all that went on.  They appeared astonished and even somewhat scandalized at the miracles of Jesus.  They were old people grounded in their own opinion, who had listened to previous accounts of such wonders with wise shakes of the head, smiles, and shrugs, giving no credence to any of it.

     But now the Pharisees beheld with surprise and vexation those seriously afflicted, those incurables of their own city, by whose deep seated maladies they hoped to see Jesus' healing power set at naught, taking up their beds and going off to their homes with songs of praise for their perfect cure.  Jesus preached, instructed and consoled the sick, and gave Himself no trouble about the Pharisees.  The whole city resounded with joy and thanksgiving.  This lasted from early morning until nearly noon.

     Jesus and the disciples now returned to their inn by the western gate of the city.  On their way through the streets, some furious possessed that had been allowed to leave their place of confinement, cried after Jesus.  He commanded them to be silent.  They instantly ceased their cries and threw themselves humbly at His feet.  Jesus cured them and admonished them to purify themselves.  From the inn He went to the hospital of the lepers a short distance from the city, entered, called the lepers before Him, touched them, healed them, and commanded them to present themselves before the priests for the customary purifications.

     Jesus did not allow the disciples to follow Him into the leprous hospital.  He sent them up to the mountain where, after healing the lepers, He was to deliver an instruction.     On the way the disciples were met by Judas Iscariot, and when Jesus again joined them, Bartholomew and Simon Zelotes presented him to Jesus with the words, "Master, here is Judas of whom we have spoken to You."  Jesus looked at him graciously, but with indescribable sorrow.  Judas bowing said, "Master, I pray You allow me to share in Your instructions."  Jesus replied sweetly and in words full of prophetic meaning, "You may have a place among My disciples, unless you prefer to leave it to another."  Jesus was prophesying of Matthias, who was to fill Judas's place among The Twelve, and alluding also to His own betrayal.

     They now continued the ascent of the mountain, Jesus teaching all the while.  On the summit a great crowd was gathered from Meroz, from Ataroth off to the north and from the whole region around.  There were also many Pharisees from these places.  Jesus had some days previously announced the sermon by means of the disciples.  He preached in vigorous terms of the Kingdom, of penance, of the abandonment in which the people of Meroz lived, and He earnestly exhorted them to arise from their sluggishness.  There was no teacher's chair up here.  The preacher took his stand on an eminence, surrounded by a trench and a low wall, upon which the listeners leaned or stood.

     The view from this point was very beautiful and extended.  One could see over Samaria, Meroz, Thebez, Machmethat, and away over the whole country around.  Mount Garizim however was not in view, though the towers of its ancient temple were visible.  Toward the southeast, the horizon stretched off to the Dead Sea and eastward over the Jordan to Gilead.  To the north in an oblique direction, rose the heights of Thabor, the view further extending in the direction of Capharnaum.

     When evening closed, Jesus informed His hearers that He would teach there again in the morning.  A great many of the people slept on the mountain under tents as they were at so great a distance from home.  Jesus and the disciples went back to the inn near Meroz.  All along the way Jesus taught of the good employment of time, of salvation so long looked for and now so near, of abandoning their relatives in order to follow Him, and of helping the needy.  Arriving at the inn, He dined with the disciples.

     While on the mountain, He had supervised the distribution to the poor of the money which the disciples had brought with them from Capharnaum.  Judas regarded that distribution with a covetous eye.  During the meal at the inn, Jesus continued His instructions, and indeed after it far into the night.  Today for the first time, Judas sat at table with the Savior and spent the night under the same roof with Him.

     The next morning Jesus left the inn with the disciples and journeyed eastward to Iscariot, a distance not quite an hour.  On the swampy ground of a deep ravine stood a row of houses, about twenty five, near a stream of water black and full of reeds.  Here and there it was dammed so as to form pools for tanning.  Very frequently this water failed, and then they had to let in water from other sources.  The cattle for slaughter belonging to Meroz was pastured around these parts.  When needed in Meroz, they were slaughtered here, then skinned, and the hide handed over to the tanners of Iscariot.  The ravine in which the little place lay, was directly to the north of Machmethat.  The tanner's trade, on account of the odors attending it, was held in detestation by the Jews.  Pagan slaves and others of the most despised races were needed for tanning the hides of the slaughtered cattle in Meroz, but they lived apart from the other inhabitants.  In Iscariot no occupation was carried on except tanning.  Most of the houses of this place belonged to old Simeon, the uncle of Judas.

     Judas was very dear and quite useful to his old uncle in his leather trade.  Sometimes he was dispatched with asses to purchase raw hides.  Other times he was sent with prepared leather to the seaport towns.  Judas was clever and a cunning broker and commission merchant.  Still he was not at this time a villain, and had he overcome himself in little things, he would not have fallen so low.  The Blessed Virgin very often warned him, but he was extremely vacillating.  He was susceptible of very vehement though not lasting repentance.

     Here in Iscariot Judas was very obliging and ready to serve, he was perfectly at home.  His Uncle Simeon, a very busy and active man, received Jesus and the disciples at some distance from the place, washed their feet, and offered the customary refreshments.  Jesus and the disciples visited his house and his family, consisting of his wife, his children and his servants.

     Jesus paid a visit to the opposite side of the place where in the midst of a field was a kind of pleasure garden in which the tabernacles were still standing.  All the inhabitants of the place were here assembled.  Jesus taught upon the parable of the sower and the different kinds of soil.  He exhorted the people to let the instructions they had heard from Him on the mountain near Meroz find good soil in their heart. (Matt 13:3-9,18-23)

     Afterward, with the disciples and Simeon's family, Jesus took a little repast standing.  During it old Simeon begged Him to admit Judas his nephew, whom he praised in many ways, to a participation in His teachings and His Kingdom.  Jesus responded in pretty much the same terms as He had used toward Judas himself, "Every one may have a share therein, provided he is resolved not to relinquish his portion to another."  Jesus performed no cures here, for the sick had already been healed on the mountain.

     The Sabbath over, Jesus left the synagogue and accompanied by the disciples, went to Issachar's where a grand banquet had been prepared for Him.  Jesus, those disciples related to Him, and Issachar himself sat at one table, while Salome, the wife, came and went doing the honors of the same.  The other disciples ate in a side hall.  Previously to sitting down Jesus had healed several sick.  It was dusk, and the miracles were performed by torchlight outside the synagogue near Issachar's dwelling where the sick had gathered.  Among the disciples were Judas Iscariot, Bartholomew, and Thomas.  Also among the crowd were an full brother and a step brother of Thomas.  They had come here for the Sabbath from Apheca, seven hours distant, and they put up at Issachar's, Thomas being well known to him on account of his commercial pursuits.

     Though he had acquaintances among the disciples, Thomas had never yet spoken to Jesus, for he was anything but obtrusive.  James Alpheus also had come from Capharnaum for the Sabbath, as had  Nathanael, the son of the widow Anna, who was the eldest daughter of Cleophas.  Nathanael was the youngest of her sons engaged at Zebedee's fishery.  He was about twenty years old, gentle and amiable, with something of the appearance of John.  He had been reared in the house of his grandfather, and was nicknamed "Little Cleophas" in order to distinguish him from the other Nathanaels.      Judas Iscariot and many other disciples returned from Dothan to their own homes.  Jesus kept with Him only nine, among whom were Thomas, James Alpheus, Jude Barsabas, Simon, Thaddeus, little Cleophas (Nathanael), Manahem, and Saturnin.

     To some of the disciples, especially to Thomas, Judas Iscariot was not particularly pleasing.  Thomas did not hesitate to say plainly to Jesus that he did not like Judas Simonis, because he was too ready to say yes and no.  Why, he asked, had He admitted that man among His disciples, since He had been so difficult to please in others.  Jesus answered evasively that from eternity it was decreed by God for Judas, like all the others, to be of the number of His disciples.

     When the disciples had retired to rest, Jesus went alone into the mountains to pray.

     In the morning Jesus taught unmolested in the synagogue.  The Pharisees had said to one another, "We can do nothing with Him now, His adherents are too numerous.  We shall contradict Him now and then, we shall report all at Jerusalem, and wait until He goes up to the Temple for the Pasch."  The streets were again filled with the sick.  Some had come before the Sabbath.  Some had not believed until now, but on the report of the possessed man's cure, they had themselves transported there from all quarters of the city.

     Many of them had been there before, but had not been cured.  They were weak, tepid, slothful souls, more difficult to convert than great sinners of more ardent nature.  Magdalen was converted only after many struggles and relapses, but her last efforts were generous and final.  Dina the Samaritan turned at once from her evil ways, and the Suphanite, after sighing long for grace, was suddenly converted.  All the great female sinners were very quickly and powerfully converted, as was also the sturdy Paul to whom conversion came like a flash of lightning. (Acts 9:3-5)  Judas, on the contrary, was always vacillating, and at last fell into the abyss.  It was the same with great and most violent maladies which Jesus, in His wisdom, cured at once.  They that were afflicted with them, like the possessed, had no will whatever to remain in the state in which they were, or again, self-will was entirely overcome by the violence of the malady.  But as to those that were less grievously affected, whose sufferings only opposed an obstacle to their sinning with more facility, and whose conversion was insincere, Jesus often sent them away with an admonition to reform their life; or that He only alleviated without curing their bodily ills that through their pressure the soul might be cured.

     Jesus could have cured all that came to Him and that instantaneously, but He did so only for those that believed and did penance, and He frequently warned them against a relapse.  Even those that were only slightly sick He sometimes cured at once, if such would prove beneficial to their soul.  He had not come to cure the body that it might the more readily sin, but He cured the body in order to deliver and save the soul.

     In every malady, in every species of bodily infirmity, there is a special design of God.  Sickness is the sign of some sin.  It may be his own or another's, a sin of which he may be conscious or not, that the sufferer has to expiate, or it may be a trial expressly prepared for him, which by patience and submission to God's will, he may change into capital that will yield a rich return.  Properly speaking, no one suffers innocently, for who is innocent, since the Son of God had to take upon Himself the sins of the world that they might be blotted out?  To follow Him, we are all obliged to bear our cross after Him.

     Since joy and the highest degree of patience in suffering, since the union of pain with the Passion of Jesus Christ, belong to the perfect, it follows that a disinclination to suffer is in itself an imperfection.  We are created perfect and we shall again be born to perfection, consequently the cure of sickness is an effect of pure love and mercy toward poor sinners, a favor wholly unmerited by them.  They have deserved more than sickness, they have deserved death; but the Lord by His own death has delivered them that believe in Him and perform works in accordance with their faith.

     Jesus on this day cured many possessed, paralysed, dropsical, gouty, dumb, blind, many afflicted with an issue of blood; violent maladies of all kinds.  Several times He passed by some that were able to stand.  They were those that had frequently received slight relief from Him, but, their conversion not being earnest, they had relapsed in body and soul.  As Jesus was passing by them, they cried out, "Lord, Lord!  You cure all others that are grievously sick, and You do not cure us!  Lord, have pity on us!  We are sick again!"  Jesus responded, "Why do you not stretch forth your hands to Me?"  At these words, all stretched out their hands to Him, and said, "Lord, here are our hands!"  Jesus replied, "You do indeed stretch forth these hands, but the hands of your heart I cannot seize.  You withdraw them and lock them up, for you are filled with darkness."  Then He continued to admonish them, cured several, who were converted, slightly relieved others, and passed by some unnoticed.

     That afternoon Jesus and all His Apostles rowed over to Bethsaida.  Matthew had delivered the customhouse to a man belonging to the fishery.  Since his reception of John's baptism, Matthew had carried on his business in an altogether blameless manner.  The other publicans also were honest in their dealings and very liberal men, who gave large alms to the poor.  Judas was still good.  He was uncommonly active and ready to render service, though in this distribution of alms somewhat close and calculating.  A large number of Gentiles crossed the lake today.  Those that were not going on further, to Capharnaum for instance, left their camels and asses on rafts towed by the boats, or led them over the bridge that crossed the Jordan above the lake.

     Jesus again instructed the Apostles and disciples upon their vocation.  He said that now they should show forth what they had learned.  They should proclaim the advent of the Kingdom, that the last chance for doing penance had arrived, that the end of John's life was very near.  They should baptize, impose hands, and expel demons.  He taught them how they should conduct themselves in discussions, how recognize true from false friends, and how to confound the latter.  He told them that now none should be greater than the others.  In the various places to which their mission called them, they should go among the pious, should live poorly and humbly, and be burdensome to none.  He told them also how to separate and how again to unite.  Two Apostles and some disciples should journey together, while some other disciples should go on ahead to gather the people and announce the coming of the former.  The Apostles, He said, should carry with them little flasks of oil, which He taught them how to consecrate and how to use in effecting cures.  Then He gave them all the other instruction recorded in the Gospels on the occasion of their mission.  He made allusion to no special danger in store for them, but said only, "Today you will be welcomed everywhere, but a time will come when they will persecute you!" (Matt 10:5-23 & Mark 6:7-13 & Luke 9:1-6)

     After that the Apostles knelt down in a circle around Jesus as He prayed and laid His hands upon the head of each; the disciples He only blessed.  Then they embraced and separated.

     Among the directions given to the Apostles, Jesus had indicated to them the place and time at which they should again join Him, in order to bring Him news and exchange places with the disciples that remained with Him.  Six of the Apostles continued with Him; Peter, James Alpheus, John, Philip, Thomas and Judas, besides twelve of the disciples.  All shed tears on separating.

     At night when all were asleep, Jesus went again to pray in the cave on the Mount of Olives.  He shed many tears and endured intense fear and anguish.  He was like a son going forth to great labors, and who first threw himself on the bosom of his father to receive strength and comfort.  Whenever Jesus was in Bethania and had an hour to spare, He used to go to that cave to pray.  This was a preparation for His last agony on Mount Olives.  Jesus prayed and sorrowed chiefly on Mount of Olives, because Adam and Eve, when driven from Paradise, had here first trodden the inhospitable earth.  They were in that cave sorrowing and praying, and it was on this mountain, which Cain was cultivating for the first time, that he became so enraged as to resolve to kill Abel.  Cain murdered his brother in the vicinity of Mount Calvary, and on Mount Olives he was called by God to account for it.  Judas too would have to account to God.

     Daybreak found Jesus back again in Bethania.

     As Jesus with the Apostles and disciples was making the journey from Capharnaum to Cana and Cydessa, He stopped in the region of Giskala placing The Twelve in three separate rows and revealing to each his own peculiar disposition and character.  Peter, Andrew, John, James Zebedee and Matthew stood in the first row; Thaddeus, Bartholomew, James Alpheus, and the disciple Barsabas, in the second; Thomas, Simon, Philip, and Judas Iscariot, in the third.  Each heard his own thoughts and hopes revealed to him by Jesus, and all were strongly affected.  Jesus delivered at the same time a lengthy discourse upon the hardships and sufferings that awaited them, and on this occasion He again made use of the expression, "Among you there is a devil."

     The three different rows established no subordination among the Apostles, one to another.  The Twelve were classed merely according to their disposition and character.  Joses Barsabas stood foremost in the row of the disciples, and nearest to The Twelve, consequently, Jesus placed him also in the second row with the Apostles, and revealed to him his hopes and fears.  On this journey Jesus further instructed The Twelve and the disciples exactly how to proceed in the future when healing the sick and exorcising the possessed, as He Himself did in such cases.  He imparted to them the power and the courage always to effect, by imposition of hands and anointing with oil, what He Himself could do.  This communication of power took place without the imposition of hands, though not without a substantial transmission.  They stood around Jesus, and rays darted toward them of different colors, according to the nature of the gifts received and the peculiar disposition of each recipient.

     Jesus arrived before dawn (it was still dark) at Lazarus' estate and knocked at the gate of the courtyard.  It was opened by Lazarus himself who with a light conducted Him into a large hall where were assembled Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, John Marc, and Jairus, the younger brother of Obed.

     Afterward Jesus with the two disciples was again in Bethabara and Ephron, where He celebrated the Sabbath.  Andrew, Judas, Thomas, James Alpheus, Thaddeus, Zacheus, and seven other disciples were present, having come there from Bethania to Meet Jesus.  When Judas was about to leave Bethania, the Blessed Virgin earnestly exhorted him to be more moderate, to watch over himself, and not interfere in affairs as he did.

     It was toward evening on the following day when Jesus left Bethania to go to the Temple.  He was accompanied by six of His Apostles, who walked behind Him.  He Himself on entering the hall, put the seats out of the way and arranged them in order, to the great astonishment of the disciples.  In His instruction He touched upon His reason for so doing, and said that He was now soon to leave them.

     On the next Sabbath Jesus taught in the Temple from morning until evening, part of the time in a retired apartment in the presence of the Apostles and disciples only, and another part in the lecture hall where the lurking Pharisees and other Jews could hear Him.  He foretold to the Apostles and disciples, though in general terms, much of what was to happen to them in the future.  Only at noon did He pause for awhile.  He spoke of adulterated virtues, of a love wherein self-love and covetousness predominate, of a humility mixed up with vanity, and He showed how easily evil glides into all things.

     He said that many believed it was an earthly kingdom, and that they could expect to receive some post of honor in it and that they hoped by His means to become elevated without pain or trouble on their own part, just as even the pious mother of the sons of Zebedee had petitioned Him for a distinguished place for her children. (Matt 20:20-23)  He forbade them to heap up perishable treasures, and He inveighed against avarice.  This was aimed at Judas.  He spoke also of mortification, of prayer, of fasting, and of hypocrisy which influences many in these holy practices; and here He made mention of the wrath of the Pharisees against the disciples when the latter, one year before, had stripped some ears of corn. (Matt 12:1-8)  He repeated many of His former instructions, and gave some general explanations upon His recent absence from them, praised the conduct of the disciples during it, made mention of those that had accompanied Him, commending their discretion and docility and recalling in what peace the journey with them had been made.  Jesus spoke with much emotion.

     Then He touched upon the near fulfillment of His mission, His Passion, and the speedy approach of His own end, before which however He would make a solemn entrance into Jerusalem.  He alluded to the merciless treatment He would undergo, but added that He must suffer and suffer exceedingly in order to satisfy Divine Justice.  He spoke of His Blessed Mother, recounting what she too was to suffer with Him, and in what manner it would be effected.  He exposed the deep corruption and guilt of mankind, and explained that without His Passion no man could be justified.  The Jews stormed and jeered when Jesus spoke of His sufferings and their power to satisfy for sin, and some of them left the hall to report to the mob whom they had appointed to spy Jesus.  But Jesus addressed His own followers, telling them not to be troubled, that His time was not yet come, and that this also was a part of His Passion.

     On the following day Jesus caused three arches in the lecture hall to be closed, that He might instruct His Apostles and disciples in private.  He repeated on this occasion His early instructions upon His own fast in the desert.  He alluded also to many events connected with His own past life, and said why and how He had chosen the Apostles.  During this last part of His discourse, He placed the Apostles in pairs before Him.  After finishing with the Apostles, Jesus turned to the disciples and also spoke to them about their vocation.

     With Judas however He spoke but few words.  Treason was already in his heart.  Judas was always full of envy and jealousy and, toward the close of Jesus' career, he had become weary of obedience, of the wandering life of the disciples, and of, to him, the inexplicable mystery that surrounded the Divine Master.  He was becoming furious, and had had an interview with the Pharisees..

     All were very sad.  Jesus' Passion was near.

     Jesus' last instruction in the Temple before His palm-waving entrance lasted four long hours.  The Temple was full, and all who wanted to hear Him could do so.  Many women listened from a space separated by a grating.  He referred to what was soon about to happen, and said that He would be abandoned by His own.  At first He would, with splendor and openly, as in triumph, enter the Temple, and the lips of the suckling that had never yet spoken would announce His entrance. (Matt 21:16)  Many would break off branches from trees and strew them before him, while others would spread their mantles in His way. (Matt 21:8 & Mark 11:8)  The ones, He explained, namely those that strewed branches before Him, would not renounce for Him what they possessed, and would not remain faithful to Him, but they that spread their garments on the way would detach themselves from what they had, would put on the new man, and would remain faithful to Him.  Jesus did not say that He was going to enter Jerusalem on an ass, consequently many thought that He would celebrate His entrance with splendor and magnificence, with horses and camels in His train.  His words gave rise to a great whispering in the crowd.

     This instruction occasioned great anxiety among the Scribes and Pharisees.  They held a meeting in Caiaphas' house, and issued a prohibition against any one's harboring Jesus and His disciples.  They also set spies at the gates to watch for Him, but He remained concealed in Bethania with Lazarus.

     Jesus with Peter, John, James and Lazarus, and the Blessed Virgin with six of the holy women, remained hidden at Lazarus'.  They were in the same subterranean apartments in which Lazarus lay concealed during the persecution that had risen against him.  Some of the other Apostles and disciples were at the disciples' inn near Bethania, and the rest in other places.  Jesus told the Apostles that next morning would usher in the day of His entrance into Jerusalem, and He directed all the absent Apostles to be summoned,  They came, and He had a long interview with them.  They were very sad.  Toward the traitor Judas, Jesus was gracious in manner, and it was to him that He intrusted the commission of summoning the disciples.  Judas was very fond of such commissions, for he was desirous to pass for a person of some consequence and importance.

     This instruction was followed by a short repast, after which Jesus continued to speak with the disciples, who as soon as it grew dark had gathered in the neighboring houses.

     Early the next morning Jesus made preparations for His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the Temple.  He sent Eremenzear and Silas to Jerusalem, not by the direct route, but by a road that ran through the enclosed gardens and fields, near Bethphage.  They were commissioned to make that road passable by opening the hedges and removing the barriers.  He told them that, in the meadow near the inn outside of Bethphage (through which ran the road), they would find a she-ass with her foal; they should fasten the ass to the hedge and, if questioned as to why they did that, they should answer that the Lord would have it so.  Then they should remove every obstruction from the road leading to the Temple, and return to Him when finished. (Matt 21:1-6 & Mark 11:1-7)

     Jesus arranged His procession.  The Apostles He ordered to proceed, two and two, before Him, saying that from this moment and after His death, they should everywhere head the Community (the Church).  Peter went first, followed by those that were to bear the Gospel to the most distant regions, while John and James Alpheus immediately preceded Jesus.  All carried palm branches.

     Jesus then put on the beautiful festal robe of fine white wool which one of the disciples had brought with him for that purpose.  Two disciples assisted Jesus to mount the cross seat on the ass.  The animal had  no bridle, but around its neck was a narrow strip of material that hung down loose.  The foal ran riderless along the side of the ass.  When the procession was ranged in order, the holy women, two and two, brought up the rear.  The Blessed Virgin, who up to this time had always stayed in the background, now went at their head.  As the procession moved forward, all began to sing, and the people of Bethphage, who had gathered around the two disciples while they were awaiting Jesus' coming, followed after like a swarm.

     In Jerusalem the vendors and people whom Eremenzear and Silas had that morning told to clear the Temple because the Lord was coming, began to joyfully adorn the road.

     Crowds came pouring out of the city to meet the Apostles and disciples, who were approaching with songs and canticles.  At this juncture, several aged priests in the insignia of their office stepped out into the road and brought the procession to a standstill.  The unexpected movement silenced the singing.  The priests called upon Jesus to say what He meant by such proceedings on the part of His followers, and why He did not prohibit this noise and excitement.  Jesus answered that, if His followers were silent, the stones on the road would cry out.  At these words, the priests retired. (Luke 19:37-40)

     Many among the crowd that followed Jesus to the Temple not only broke off branches from the trees and strewed them in the way, but snatched off their mantles and spread them down, singing and shouting all the while.  Many had quite despoiled themselves of their upper garments for that purpose.

     Jesus wept, as did the Apostles also, when He told them that many who were now shouting acclamations of joy would soon deride Him, and that a certain one would even betray Him.  He looked upon the city, and wept over its approaching destruction (Luke 13:34-35).

     When He entered the gate, the cries of joy became still greater.  Many sick of all kinds had been led or carried to where the procession passed.  Jesus frequently halted, dismounted, and cured all without distinction.  Many of His enemies had mingled with the crowd, and they now uttered cries with a view to raise an insurrection.

     The nearer to the Temple, the more magnificent was the ornamentation of the road.  In this part of the city, there were always, especially near the Paschal feast, chosen animals for sale, pure and spotless, destined for sacrifice.  To move from the city gate to the Temple, although a distance of about half an hour only, took the procession three hours.

     By this time the Jews had ordered all the houses, as well as the city gate to be closed, so that when Jesus dismounted before the Temple, and the disciples wanted to take the ass back to where they had found it, they were obliged to wait inside the gate until evening.  All had to remain the whole day without food, for this part of the city had been barricaded.

     Full of trouble, Jesus went back with the Apostles to Bethania for the Sabbath.  While He was teaching in the Temple, the Jews had been ordered to keep their houses closed, and it was forbidden to offer Him or His disciples any refreshment.  On reaching Bethania, they went to the public house of Simon, the healed leper, where a meal awaited them.

     After Jesus and the disciples had prepared themselves for the Sabbath, that is, put on the garments prescribed and prayed under the lamp, they stretched themselves at table for the meal.

     The meal was followed by prayer, after which the Apostles and disciples separated.  Judas full of chagrin hurried back to Jerusalem that night.  Torn by envy and avarice, he ran in the darkness over Mount Olives.  It seemed as if a sinister glare surrounded him, as if the devil were lighting his steps.  He hurried to the house of Caiaphas, and spoke a few words at the door.  He could not stay long in any one place.  From there he ran to the house of John Marc.  The disciples were accustomed to lodge there, so Judas pretended that he had come from Bethania for that purpose.  This was the first definite step in his treacherous course.     When on the following morning, Jesus was going from Bethania to Jerusalem with some of His disciples, they found the fig tree that Jesus had cursed entirely withered, and the disciples wondered at it.  When Peter showed his astonishment, Jesus said to them, "If you believe, you shall do still more wonderful things.  Yea, at your word mountains will cast themselves into the sea." (Mark 11:20)

     A great many strangers were gathered in Jerusalem.  In both morning and evening, preaching and divine service went on in the Temple.  Jesus taught in the interim.  He stood when preaching, but if any wanted to put a question to Him, He sat down while the questioner rose.

     During His discourse today, some priests and Scribes stepped up to Him and inquired by what right He acted as He did.  Jesus answered, "I too shall ask you something; and when you answer Me, I shall tell you by what authority I do these things."  When He asked them by what authority John had baptized, and when they would not answer Him, He replied that neither would He tell them by what authority He acted. (Matt 21:24-27)

     In His afternoon instruction, Jesus introduced the similitude of the vine dresser (Matt 21:28-31), also that of the corner stone rejected by the builders.  In the former He explained that the murdered vine dresser typified Himself, and the murderers, the Pharisees.  Upon hearing this the Pharisees became so exasperated that they would have willingly arrested Him then and there, but they dared not, as they saw how all the people clung to Him. (Matt 21:45-46)  They determined however to set five of their confidential followers, who were relatives of some of the disciples, to spy Him, and they gave them orders to try to catch Him by captious questions.  These five men were some of them followers of the Pharisees; others, servants of Herod.

     Jesus passed the night at the disciples' inn near Bethania.  Next day Jesus taught for three hours in the Temple upon the parable of the royal wedding feast, the spies of the Pharisees being present.  Jesus returned early to Bethania, where He again taught. (Matt 22:1-14)

     As He mounted the teacher's chair next day in the circular hall of the Temple, the five men appointed by the Pharisees pressed up through the aisle that ran from the door to the chair, the space all around being filled by the audience, and asked Him whether they ought to pay tribute to Caesar.  Jesus replied by asking them to show Him the coin of the tribute; whereupon one of them drew from his breast pocket a yellow coin and pointed to the image of the Emperor.  Then Jesus told them that they should render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's. (Matt 22:17-22 & Mark 12:13-17)

     After that Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God, which He likened to a man who cultivated a plant that never ceased to grow and spread its branches. (Matt 13:31-32 & Mark 4:30-32)  To the Jews, it would come not again; but it would come to those Jews who would be converted, who would attain the Kingdom of God.  That Kingdom would go to the heathens, and a time would come when in the East all would be darkness, but in the West, perfect day.  He told them also that they should perform their good works in secret, as He Himself had done, and that He would receive His reward at noon-day.  He spoke too of a murderer being preferred to Himself. (Matt 27:16-18,21 & John 18:40)

     Later in the day, seven of the Sadducees went to Jesus and questioned him upon the resurrection of the dead.  They brought forward something about a woman that had already had seven husbands.  Jesus answered that after the resurrection there would be no longer any sex or any marrying, and that God is a God of the living and not of the dead.  His hearers were astounded at His teaching. (Matt 22:23-33 & Mark 12:18-27)

     The Pharisees left their seats and conferred together.  One of them named Manasses, who held an office in the Temple, very modestly asked Jesus which of the Commandments was the greatest.  Jesus answered the question, whereupon Manasses heartily praised Him.  Then Jesus responded that the Kingdom of God was not far from him, and He closed His discourse by some words on Christ (the Messiah) and David. (Mark 12:28-34)

     All were dumbfounded, they had nothing to reply.  When Jesus left the Temple, a disciple asked Him, "What does the words mean, that You said Manasses, 'You are not far from the Kingdom of God'?"  The Lord answered that Manasses would believe and follow Him, but that they (the disciples) should be silent on that head.  From that hour Manasses took no part against Jesus.  He lived in retirement until the Ascension, when he declared himself for Him and joined the disciples.  He was between forty and fifty years old.

     That evening Jesus went to Bethania, ate with the Apostles at Lazarus', then visited the inn where the women were assembled, taught them until after nightfall, and lodged at the disciples' inn.

     On the next day Jesus taught about six hours in the Temple.  The disciples, impressed by His instruction of the preceding day, asked what was meant by the words, "Thy Kingdom come to us!"  Jesus gave them a long explanation, and added that He and the Father were one, (John 10:27-30) and that He was going to the Father.  Then they asked if He and the Father were one, why was it necessary for Him to go to the Father.  Thereupon He spoke to them of His mission, saying that He would withdraw from the humanity, from the flesh, and that whoever separated from his own fallen nature, to go by Him to Him, went at the same time to the Father. (John 7:39)

     After midday, the Scribes and Pharisees crowded in such numbers around Jesus that the disciples were pushed to some distance from Him.  He spoke very severely against the Pharisees, and He said once during this stern lecture, "You shall not arrest Me now, because My hour has not yet come." (John 8:20)

     Jesus spent the whole of this day at Lazarus' with the holy women and the Twelve Apostles.  Toward three o'clock in the afternoon, a great repast was served in the subterranean dining hall.  After the meal, as Jesus was speaking of the approach of the time when the Son of Man would be treacherously betrayed, Peter stepped forward eagerly and asked why He always spoke as if they were going to betray Him,  Now, though he could believe that one of the others (the disciples) might be guilty of such a thing, yet He would answer for The Twelve that they would not betray Him!  Peter spoke boldly, as if his honor had been attacked.

     Jesus replied with great warmth, even greater warmth than He had when He said to Peter, "Get thee behind Me, Satan!" (Matt 16:21-23)  Jesus said that without His grace, without prayer, they would all fall away, that the hour would come in which they would all abandon Him.  There was only one among them, He continued, who wavered not, and yet he too would flee, though He would come back again.  By these words, Jesus meant John who, at the moment of Jesus' arrest, fled leaving his mantle behind him. (Mark 14:51-52)  All became very much troubled, excepting Judas who, while Jesus was talking, put on a friendly, smiling, and insinuating air.

     When they asked Jesus about the Kingdom that was to come to them, His answer was inexpressibly kind.  He told them that another Spirit would come upon them and then only would they understand all things.  He had to go to the Father and send them the Spirit which proceeded from the Father and Himself. (John 15:26 & John 16:7-11)

     He also told them that He had come in the flesh in order to redeem man, that there was something material in His influence upon them, that the body works in a corporeal manner, and it was for that reason they could not understand Him.  But He would send the Spirit, who would open their understanding.  He recalled to them how many times they had misunderstood Him, and His own forbearance with them; in like manner should they treat with sinners after His departure.

     It was past midnight before they retired to rest.  Jesus told them to sleep now in peace, for the time would soon come when, anxious and troubled, they would be without sleep; this would be followed by another time when, in the midst of persecution, a stone under their head, they would sleep as sweetly as Jacob at the foot of the ladder that reached to heaven. (Gen 28:11-13)

     The Pharisees were very greatly exasperated on Jesus' account.  They held a council in the night and despatched spies to watch Him.  They said, if Judas would only come to them again, otherwise they did not well know how to proceed in the affair.  Judas had not been with them since that first evening.

     Early on the following day Jesus returned to the resting place on Mount Olives, and again spoke of the destruction of Jerusalem, illustrating with the similitude of a fig tree that was there standing. (Matt 24:1,32-35 & Luke 21:20,29-33)  He said that He had already been betrayed, though the traitor had not yet mentioned His name, and had merely made the offer to betray.  The Pharisees desired to see the traitor again, but He, Jesus, wanted the traitor to be converted, to repent, and not to despair.  Jesus said all this in vague, general terms, to which Judas listened with a smile.

     Jesus exhorted the Apostles not to give way to their natural fears upon what He had said to them, namely, that they would all be dispersed.  They should not forget their neighbor, and should not allow one sentiment to veil, to stifle another.  Here He made use of the similitude of a mantle. (Psalms 109:26-29)  In general terms He reproached some of them for murmuring at Magdalen's extravagance.  Jesus said this in reference to Judas' first definitive step toward His betrayal.  It was also a gentle warning to Judas for the future since it would be after Magdalen's last anointing that he would carry out his treacherous design.

     That some others were scandalized at Magdalen's extravagant expression of love arose from their erroneous severity and parsimony.  They regarded this anointing as a luxury so often abused at worldly feasts, while overlooking the fact, that such an action performed on the Holy of Holies was worthy of the highest praise.

     Jesus told them moreover, that He would only twice again teach in public.  Then speaking of the end of the world and the destruction of Jerusalem, He gave them the signs by which they should know that the hour of His departure was near.  There would be, He said, a strife among them as to which would be the greatest, and that would be a sign that He was about to leave them. (Luke 22:24-25)  He signified to them also that one of them would deny him, and He told them that He said all these things to them, that they might be humble and watch over themselves.  He spoke with extraordinary love and patience.

     About noon Jesus taught in the Temple, His subjects included the parable of the ten virgins, and the parable of the talents intrusted (Matt 25:1-30), and He again inveighed severely against the Pharisees.  He repeated the words of the murdered Prophets, and several times upbraided the Pharisees for their wicked designs.  He afterward told the Apostles and disciples that, even where there was no longer hope of improvement, words of warning must not be withheld.

     When Jesus left the Temple, a great number of pagans from distant parts approached Him.  They had not indeed heard His teaching in the Temple, since they had not dared to set foot therein; but through the sight of His miracles, His triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, and all the other wonders that they had heard of Him, they wanted to be converted.

     Next morning when the rest of the Apostles and disciples came, Jesus instructed them upon many points.  He went with them to the Temple where He spoke of His return to His Father.  In plain terms He called Himself the Salvation of mankind, said that it was He who was to put an end to the power of sin over the human race.  The Pharisees took turns, two at a time, to spy.  Jesus said that He had come to put an end to the domination of sin over man.  Sin began in a garden, and in a garden it should end, for it would be in a garden that His enemies would seize Him. (Gen 2:8 & Gen 3:6-7 & John 19:41-42)  He reproached His hearers with the fact of their already wanting to kill Him after the raising of Lazarus.

     Jesus also spoke of Eve, through whom sin had come upon the earth.  It was because of this that woman was condemned to suffer, and that she dared not enter into the Sanctuary. (Gen 3:6-7,16)  But it was also through a woman that the cure of sin had come into the world, (Luke 1:46-48) consequently she was freed from slavery, though not from dependence. (Eph 5:21-35)

     In His last discourse in the Temple Jesus told the Apostles and disciples that He had so long taught them the truth, so long communicated with them; and yet they had always doubted, indeed they doubted still!  He felt that in His corporeal presence He could no longer be useful to them, therefore He would give them all that He had.  He would retain only what was absolutely necessary to cover His naked body.

     These words of Jesus the Apostles did not understand.  They were under the impression that He would die, or perhaps vanish from their sight.  As late as the preceding day, when He was speaking of the persecution of the Jews against Him, Peter suggested that He might again withdraw from these parts and they would accompany Him.  He had gone away once before after the raising of Lazarus.  He could now go again.

     When toward evening Jesus left the Temple, He spoke of taking leave of it, saying that He would never again enter it in the body.  This scene was so touching that all the Apostles and disciples cast themselves on the ground crying aloud and weeping.  Jesus wept also.  Judas shed no tear, though he was anxious and nervous, as he had been during the past days.  Yesterday Jesus said no word in allusion to him.

     In the court of the Temple, some heathens were waiting, many of whom wanted to give themselves to Jesus.  They saw the tears of the Apostles.  On learning their desire, Jesus told them that there was no time now, but that they should later on have recourse to His Apostles and disciples, to whom He gave power similar to His own.  Then taking the way by which He had entered on Palm Sunday, and frequently turning with sad and earnest words to gaze upon the Temple, He left the city, went to the public inn at the foot of Mount Olives, and after nightfall back to Bethania. (Luke 21:37-38)

     Next morning Jesus instructed a large number of the disciples, more than sixty, in the court before Lazarus' house.  In the afternoon about three o'clock, tables were laid for them in the court and during their meal Jesus and the Apostles served.  Jesus went from table to table, handing something to this one, something to that, and teaching all the time.  Judas was not present.  He was away making purchases for the entertainment to be given at Simon's.  Magdalen also had gone to Jerusalem to buy precious ointment.  The Blessed Virgin, to whom Jesus had that morning announced His approaching death, was inexpressibly sad.  Her niece, Mary Cleophas, was always around her, consoling her.  Full of grief, they went together to the disciples' inn.

     Meantime, Jesus conversed with the disciples upon His approaching death and the events that would follow it.  One, He said, that had been on intimate terms with Him, one that owed Him a great debt of gratitude, was about to sell Him to the Pharisees.  He would not even set a price upon Him, but would merely ask, "What will you give me for Him?"  If the Pharisees were buying a slave, it would be at a fixed price, but He would be sold for whatever they chose to give.  The traitor would sell Him for less than the cost of a slave!  The disciples wept bitterly, and became so afflicted that they had to cease eating, but Jesus pressed them graciously.

     It was during this instruction that Magdalen came back from Jerusalem with the ointment she had brought.  She had gone to Veronica's and stayed there while Veronica took care of the purchase of the ointment, which was of three kinds, the most precious that could be procured.  Magdalen had expended upon it all the money she had left.  One was a flask of the oil of spikenard.  She bought the flasks together with their contents.  The flasks were of a clear, whitish, though not transparent material, almost like mother-of-pearl.  They were in shape like little urns, having ornamental knobs, and screw tops.

     Magdalen carried the vessels under her mantle in a pocket, which hung on her breast suspended by a cord that passed over one shoulder and across the back.  John Mark's mother went with her back to Bethania, and Veronica accompanied them a part of the way.  As they were going through Bethania, they met Judas who, concealing his indignation, spoke to Magdalen.

     Magdalen had heard from Veronica (whose husband, Sirach, was a member of the Council), that the Pharisees had resolved to arrest Jesus and put Him to death, but not yet because of the crowds of strangers and especially because of the numerous pagans that followed Him.  This news Magdalen imparted to the other women.

     The women were at Simon's helping to prepare for the entertainment, for which Judas had purchased everything necessary.  He had entirely emptied the purse today, secretly thinking that he would get all back again in the evening.  From a man who kept a garden in Bethania, he bought vegetables, two lambs, fruit, fish, honey, etc.  The dining hall used at Simon's today was different from that in which Jesus and His friends had dined once before, that is, on the day after the triumphal entrance into the Temple.  Today they dined in an open hall at the back of the house, which looked out upon the courtyard.

     Jesus taught during the whole meal.  Nearing the close of His discourse, the Apostles were stretched forward in breathless attention.  Simon, whose services were no longer needed, sat motionless listening to every word, when Magdalen rose quietly from her seat among the women.  She had around her a thin, bluish white mantle.  Laying the ointment in a fold of her mantle, she passed through the walk that was planted with shrubbery, entered the hall, went up behind Jesus, and cast herself down at His feet weeping bitterly.  She bent her face low over the foot that was resting on the couch, while Jesus Himself raised to her the other that was hanging a little toward the floor.  Magdalen loosened the sandals and anointed Jesus' feet on the soles and upon the upper part.  Then with both hands drawing her flowing hair from beneath her veil, she wiped the Lord's anointed feet, and replaced the sandals.

     Magdalen's action caused some interruption in Jesus' discourse.  He had observed her approach, but the others were taken by surprise.  Jesus said, "Be not scandalized at this woman!" and then addressed some words softly to her.  She now arose, stepped behind Him and poured over His head some costly water, and that so plentifully that it ran down upon His garments.  Then with her hand she spread some of the ointment from the crown down the back part of His head.  The hall was filled with the delicious odor.

     The Apostles whispered together and muttered their displeasure, even Peter was vexed at the interruption.  Magdalen, weeping and veiled, withdrew around behind the table.  When she was about to pass before Judas, he stretched forth his hand to stay her while he indignantly addressed to her some words on her extravagance, saying that the purchase money might have been given to the poor.  Magdalen made no reply.  She was weeping bitterly.  Then Jesus spoke, bidding them let her pass, and saying that she had anointed Him for His death, for later she would not be able to do it, and that wherever this Gospel would be preached, her action and their murmuring would also be recounted. (Matt 26:6-13 & Mark 14:1-9 & John 12:1-8)

     Magdalen retired, her heart full of sorrow.  The rest of the meal was disturbed by the displeasure of the Apostles and the reproaches of Jesus.  When it was over, all returned to Lazarus'. Judas, full of wrath and avarice, thought within himself that he could no longer put up with such things.  But concealing his feelings, he laid aside his festal garment, and pretended that he had to go back to the public house to see that what remained of the meal was given to the poor.  Instead of doing that however, he ran full speed to Jerusalem.

     Judas' head was always running on about the establishment of an earthly kingdom, and when he found that was not likely to be fulfilled, he began to appropriate the money intrusted to his care.  He was therefore greatly vexed that the worth of Magdalen's ointment had not passed as alms through his hands.  It was at the last Feast of Tabernacles in Jesus' time that Judas began to go to the bad.  When He betrayed Jesus for money, he never dreamed of His being put to death.  He thought his Master would soon be released, his only desire was to make a little money.

     In Jerusalem he ran into the house in which, later on, Jesus was exposed to scorn and derision.  The Pharisees and High Priests were still together, but Judas did not enter their assembly.  Two of them went out and spoke with him below in the courtyard.  When he told them that he was ready to deliver Jesus, and asked what they would give for Him, they showed great joy, and returned to announce it to the rest of the council.

     After awhile, one came out again and made an offer of thirty pieces of silver. (Matt 26:14-16 & Mark 14:10-11 & Luke 22:1-6)  Judas wanted to receive the money at once, but they would not give them to him.  They said that he had once before been there, and then had absented himself for so long, that he should do his duty, and then they would pay him.  They offered hands as a pledge of the contract, and on both sides tearing something from their clothing.

     The Pharisees wanted Judas to stay awhile and tell them when and how the bargain would be completed, but he insisted upon going that suspicion might not be aroused.  He said that he had yet to find things out more precisely, that next day he could act without attracting attention.  On leaving Jerusalem, Judas ran back again to Bethania where he changed his garments and joined the other Apostles.

     Jesus was speaking alone with His Blessed Mother.  He had, He said, sent Peter the Believing and John the Loving to Jerusalem in order to prepare for the Pasch.  Of Magdalen, who was quite out of herself from grief, He said, "She loves unspeakably, but her love is still encompassed by the body, therefore has she become like one quite out of her mind from pain."  He spoke also of the treacherous scheming of Judas, and the Blessed Virgin implored mercy for him.

     Judas, under pretence of attending to different affairs and of discharging certain debts, had again left Bethania and hurried to Jerusalem.  Jesus, although He well knew what he was after, questioned the nine Apostles about him.

     Judas spent the whole day in running around among the Pharisees and completing his plans with them.  The soldiers that were to apprehend Jesus were even shown him, and he so arranged his journey to and fro so as to be able to account for his absence.  Just before it was time for the Paschal Supper, he returned to the Lord.

     When Jesus spoke to Mary about him, He touched upon many things connected with his character and behavior.  He was active and obliging, but full of avarice, ambition, and envy, which passions he did not struggle to control.  He had even performed miracles and, in Jesus' absence, healed the sick.

     When Jesus made known to the Blessed Virgin what was about to happen to Him, she besought Him in touching terms to let her die with Him.  But He exhorted her to bear her grief more calmly than the other women, telling her at the same time that He would rise again, and He named the spot upon which He would appear to her.  This time she did not shed so many tears, though she was sad beyond expression and there was something awe-inspiring in her deep gravity.  Like a devoted Son Jesus thanked her for all her love.  He embraced her with His right arm and pressed her to His breast.  He told her that He would celebrate His Last Supper with her in spirit.

     Toward noon, Jesus and the nine Apostles set out from Bethania for Jerusalem, followed by a band of seven disciples.  They carried to the Cenacle bundles containing the robes necessary for the Paschal ceremonies.  After depositing them in the anteroom, they proceeded to the house of Mary Marcus.

     Jesus and His followers prepared to eat the Paschal lamb in the Cenacle.  All the necessary vessels and instruments were now prepared.  Then a beautiful little lamb was brought in, around its neck a garland, which was taken off and sent to the Blessed Virgin, who was at some distance with the other women.  Simeon's son held the lamb's head up and Jesus stuck it in the neck with a knife, which He then handed to Simeon's son that he might complete the slaughter.

     Jesus appeared timid in wounding the lamb, as if it cost Him pain.  His movement was quick, His manner grave.  The blood was caught in a basin and the attendants brought a branch of hyssop, which Jesus dipped into it.  Then stepping to the door of the hall, He signed the two posts and the lock with blood, and stuck the bloody branch above the lintel.  He then uttered some solemn words, saying among other things,  "The destroying angel shall pass by here.  Without fear or anxiety, you shall adore in this place when I, the true Paschal Lamb, shall have been immolated.  A new era, a new sacrifice are now about to begin, and they shall last until the end of the world."

     Jesus sprinkled the Paschal hearth with blood, and consecrated it as an altar.  The rest of the blood along with the fat was thrown into the fire under the altar, after which, followed by the Apostles, Jesus walked around the Cenacle singing Psalms, and consecrated it as a new Temple.  During this ceremony, the doors were closed.  Meanwhile Simeon's son had prepared the lamb.

     The table was narrow and only high enough to reach one half foot above the knee of a man standing by it.  In form it was like a horseshoe; and opposite Jesus, in the inner part of the half circle, there was a space left free for the serving of the dishes.  John, James Zebedee and James Alpheus stood on Jesus' right; then came Bartholomew at the narrow end of the table; and around the corner, at the inner side, stood Thomas and next to him Judas Iscariot.  On Jesus' left, were Peter, Andrew and Jude Thaddeus; then as on the opposite side, came Simon; and around at the inner side Matthew and Philip.

     After the prayer, the master of the feast laid on the table in front of Jesus the knife for carving the Paschal lamb.  Jesus blessed the wine and drank, the Apostles drinking two and two from one cup.  The Lord cut up the Paschal lamb.  The Apostles in turn reached their little loaves on some kind of an instrument that held them fast, and received each one a share.  They ate it in haste.  They ate also, and that very quickly, the garlic and green herbs, first dipping them into the sauce.  They ate the Paschal lamb standing, leaning a little on the backs of the seats.  After they ate the little loaves that had served as plates, another cup of wine was brought.  Jesus thanked, but drank not of it.  He said, "Take this wine and divide it among you, for I shall henceforth drink no more wine, until the Kingdom of God cometh."  During the preceding ceremony, they had been standing, or at least supporting themselves somewhat, and everything had been done in haste. (Matt 26:17-19 & Mark 14;12-16 & Luke 22:7-13 & John 13:1-2)

     While the Apostles were eating the herbs, Jesus continued to converse with them still quite lovingly, though He afterward became grave and sad.  He said, "One among you will betray Me--one whose hand is with Me in the dish."  He was at that moment distributing one of the vegetables, namely, the lettuce of which there was only one dish.  He was passing it down His own side.  As Jesus made mention of a traitor, the Apostles became very much alarmed.  Then He repeated, "One whose hand is with Me at table", or "whose hand dips with me into the dish," which was to say, "One of The Twelve who are eating and drinking with Me--one with whom I am eating My bread."  By these words, Jesus did not betray Judas to the others, for "to dip into the same dish," was a common expression significant of the most intimate friendship.  Still Jesus intended by it to warn Judas, for He really was distributing the lettuce.  Later on, He said, "The Son of Man indeed goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man shall be betrayed!  It were better for him had he never been born." (Matt 26:20-25 & Mark 14:17-21)

     At these words the Apostles became very much troubled, and asked in turn, "Lord, is it I?" for all knew well that they did not understand Him perfectly.  Peter meantime, leaning behind Jesus toward John, motioned to him to ask the Lord who it was, for having often received reproofs from Jesus, he was anxious lest it might be himself.  Now, John was reclining at Jesus' right and as all were leaning on the left arm in order to eat with the right hand, John lay with his head close to Jesus' breast.  At the sign from Peter, John approached his head to Jesus' breast, and asked, "Lord, who is it?" at which word, he was interiorly admonished that Jesus referred to Judas.  John understood it when Jesus, having dipped into the sauce the morsel of bread folded in lettuce, offered it affectionately to Judas who too was asking, "Lord, is it I?"  Jesus looked at him longingly and answered in general terms.  To give bread dipped was a mark of love and confidence, and Jesus did it with heartfelt love, to warn Judas and ward off the suspicions of the others.  But Judas was interiorly inflamed with rage.  John did not repeat to Peter what he had learned from Jesus, but he set his mind at rest by a glance. (John 13:21-26)

     They arose from table and while putting on and arranging their robes, as was the custom before solemn prayer, the master of the feast with two servants came in to take away the table and put back the seats.  While this was being done, Jesus ordered some water to be brought Him in the anteroom, and the master again left the hall with his servants.

     Jesus, standing in the midst of the Apostles, spoke to them long and solemnly.  This discourse was long and solemn.  When it was ended, Jesus sent John and James Alpheus to bring the water from the anteroom, and directed the others to place the seats in a half circle.  Meantime, He Himself retired to the anteroom, to lay aside His mantle, gird up His robe, and tie a towel around Him, one end of which He allowed to hang.

     While these preparations were being made, the Apostles got into a kind of dispute as to who among them should have the first place, for as the Lord had expressly announced that He was about to leave them and that His Kingdom was near, they were strengthened anew in their idea, that He had somewhere a secret force in reserve, and that He would achieve some earthly triumph at the very last moment. (Luke 22:24)

     Jesus, still in the anteroom, commanded John to take a basin, and James Alpheus a leathern bottle of water.  After He had poured some water from the bottle into the basin, Jesus bade the two follow Him into the hall in the center of which the master of the feast had set another large, empty basin.

     Entering the hall in this order, Jesus in a few words reproved the Apostles for the strife that had arisen among them.  He said among other things that He Himself was their servant, and that they should take their places on the seats for Him to wash their feet.  They obeyed, observing the same order at table.  They sat on the backs of the seats, which were arranged in a half circle, and rested their naked feet upon the seat itself.  Jesus went from one to another, and from the basin held under them by John, with His hand scooped up water over the feet presented to Him.  Then taking in both hands the long end of the towel with which He was girded, He passed it over the feet to dry them, and then moved on with James to the next.  John emptied the water after each one into the large basin in the center of the room, and then returned to the Lord with the empty one.  Then Jesus again poured water from the bottle held by James over the feet of the next, and so on. (John 13:3-11)

     During the whole of the Paschal Supper, the Lord's demeanor was most touching and gracious, and at this humble washing of His Apostles' feet, He was full of love.  He did not perform it as if it were a mere ceremony, but like a sacred act of love springing straight from the heart.  By it He wanted to give expression to the love that burned within.

     In His instruction, Jesus had spoken of the washing of feet as of a purification from daily faults, because the feet coming in continual contact with earth in walking, are constantly liable to become soiled.  This was a spiritual foot washing, a kind of absolution.

     When Jesus washed Judas' feet, it was in the most touching and loving manner.  He pressed them to His cheek and in a low tone bade him enter into himself, for that he had been unfaithful and a traitor for the past year.  But Judas appeared not to notice, and addressed some words to John.  This aroused Peter's anger, and he exclaimed, "Judas, the Master is speaking to you!"  Then Judas made some vague, evasive remark, such as, "Lord, far be it from me!"

     Jesus' words to Judas had passed unremarked by the other Apostles, for He spoke softly, and they did not hear.  Besides they were busy putting on their sandals.  Judas' treachery caused Jesus more pain than any other part of His Passion.

     Jesus then washed the feet of John and James; first those of James while Peter held the water bottle, then John's for whom James held the basin.  Jesus then resumed the garments that He had laid aside, and the Apostles let down theirs that had been girded up for the eating of the Paschal lamb. (John 13:12-20)

     At the command of the Lord the master of the feast again set out the table, which he raised a little higher.  It was placed in the middle of the room and covered with a cloth.

     Peter and John now brought from the back part of the hall where was the Paschal hearth, the chalice they had brought from Veronica's house.  The plate with the ribbed Paschal loaves, thin and whitish, stood near under a cover and the other half of the loaf that had been cut at the Paschal Supper was also on the table.  There was a wine and water vessel.

     The breaking and distributing of bread and drinking out of the same cup were customary in olden times at feasts of welcome and farewell.  They were used as signs of brotherly love and friendship.  Today Jesus elevated this custom to the dignity of the most Holy Sacrament, for until now it was only a typical ceremony.  One of the charges brought before Caiphas on the occasion of Judas' treason was, that Jesus had introduced something new into the Paschal ceremonies, but Nicodemus proved from scripture that this was an ancient practice at farewell feasts.

     Jesus' place was between Peter and John.  The doors were closed, for everything was conducted with secrecy and solemnity.  When the cover of the chalice had been removed and taken back to the recess in the rear of the Cenacle, Jesus prayed and uttered some very solemn words.  He was explaining the Last Supper to the Apostles, and also the ceremonies that were to accompany it.

     During all this time, Jesus was becoming more and more recollected.  He said to the Apostles that He was now about to give them all that He possessed, even His very Self.  He seemed to be pouring out His whole Being in love, and He became perfectly transparent.  He looked like a luminous apparition.

     Jesus prayed and taught.  He took the plate with the morsels of bread and said, "Take and eat.  This is My Body which is given for you."  While saying these words, He stretched forth His right hand over it, as if giving a blessing, and as He did so, a brilliant light emanated from Him.  His words were luminous as also the Bread, which as a body of light entered the mouth of the Apostles.  It was as if Jesus Himself flowed into them.  They were penetrated with light, bathed in light.  Judas alone was in darkness.  Jesus presented the Bread first to Peter, then to John, and next made a sign to Judas, who was sitting diagonally from Him, to approach.  Thus Judas was the third to whom Jesus presented the Blessed Sacrament, but it seemed as if the Word of the Lord turned back from the mouth of the traitor.  Jesus said to Judas, "What you are about to do, do quickly."  The Lord then administered the Blessed sacrament to the rest of the Apostles, who came up two and two.

     Jesus next raised the chalice by its two handles to a level with His face, and pronounced into it the words of consecration.  While doing so, He was wholly transfigured and as it were transparent.  He was as if passing over into what He was giving. (Matt 26:26-28 & Mark 14:22-24 & Luke 22:14-20) Judas did not return to his place, for he immediately left the Cenacle.  The others thought that Jesus had given him some commission to execute. (John 13:27-30)  He left without prayer or thanksgiving.  And here we may see what an evil it is to fail to give thanks for our daily bread and for the Bread that endures to life eternal.

     Jesus alluded several times to His traitor, saying, "Now he is doing this, now he is doing that."  When Peter vehemently protested that he would certainly remain faithful to Him, Jesus said to him, "Simon, Simon! behold Satan has desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you that your faith not fail; and you, being once converted, confirm your brethren."  When Jesus said that where He was going, they could not follow, Peter again exclaimed that he would follow Him even unto death.  Jesus repled, "Amen, amen, I say to you, before the cock crows twice, you will deny Me thrice!" (Matt 26:31-35)  When revealing to the Apostles the trying times they were to encounter, Jesus asked, "When I sent you without purse or scrip or shoes, did you want any thing?"  They answered, "No!"  Then He replied, "But now he that has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a scrip; and he that has not, let him sell his coat and buy a sword.  For I say to you, that this that is written must yet be fulfilled in Me: "And with the wicked was He reckoned."  For the things concerning Me have an end. (Isa 53:9)

     The Apostles understood these words in a carnal sense, and Peter showed Him two swords, short and broad like cleavers.

     Jesus said, "It is enough.  Let us go forth!"  Then they recited the hymn of thanksgiving, put aside the table , and went into the anteroom. (Luke 22:31-38)

     On this evening while Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, there was little bustle in Jerusalem.  The Jews were in their homes busy with preparations for the feast.  The lodgings for the Paschal guests were not in the neighborhood of the Mount of Olives.  Friends and disciples of Jesus walked together to and fro along the road conversing.  They were uneasy and in expectation of something.  Alarmed at the reports that she heard, Mary and her friends went on toward the city to get some mews of Jesus.  Here they were met by Lazarus, Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, and some relatives from Hebron, who sought to comfort Mary in her great anxiety.  These friends knew of Jesus' earnest discourse in the Cenacle, some from being themselves present in the side buildings, others from having been informed of it by the disciples.

     Although they questioned some Pharisees of their acquaintance, yet they heard of no immediate step against Our Lord.  They told each other, "The danger is not so great.  And besides, the enemies of Jesus would make no attempt against Him so near to the feast."  They did not know of Judas' treachery.  Mary told them how restless he had been during the past few days, and of his sudden departure from the Cenacle.  He had certainly gone with treacherous intentions, for, as she said, she had often warned him.

     When Jesus returned to the disciples, He found them as at first lying on their side near the wall of the terrace, their head covered and asleep.  The Lord said to them, "This is not the time to sleep.  You should arise and pray, for behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Arise, let us go!  Behold, the traitor is approaching!  Oh, it were better for him had he never been born!"  The Apostles sprang up affrightened and looked around anxiously.  They had scarcely recovered themselves, when Peter exclaimed vehemently, "Master, I will call the others, that we may defend You!"  But Jesus pointed out to them at some distance in the valley, though still on the other side of the brook Cedron, a band of armed men approaching with torches.

      He told the Apostles that one of that band had betrayed Him.  This they looked upon as impossible.  Jesus repeated this and several other things with calm composure, again exhorted them to console His Mother, and said, "Let us go to meet them.  I shall deliver myself without resistance into the hands of My enemies."  With these words, He left the Garden of Olives with the three Apostles and went out to meet the myrmidons on the road that separated it from the Garden of Gethsemani. (Matt 26:45-46 & Mark 14:41-42 & Luke 22:47-48)

     At the beginning of his treasonable career, Judas had really never looked forward to the result that followed upon it.  He wanted to obtain the traitor's reward and please the Pharisees by pretending to deliver Jesus into their hands, but he had never counted on things going so far.  He never dreamed of Jesus' being brought to judgement and crucified.  He was thinking only of the money, and he had for a long time been in communication with some sneaking, spying Pharisees and Sadducees who by flattery were inciting him to treason.  He was tired of the fatiguing, wandering, and persecuted life led by the Apostles.

     For several months past, he had begun his downward course by stealing the alms committed to his care, and his avarice, excited by Magdalen's lavish anointing of Jesus, urged him on to extremes.  He had always counted upon Jesus' establishing a temporal kingdom in which he hoped for some brilliant and lucrative post.  But as this was not forthcoming, he turned his thoughts to amassing a fortune.  He saw that hardships and persecution were on the increase; and so he thought that before things came to the worst he would ingratiate himself with some of the powerful and distinguished among Jesus' enemies.  He saw that Jesus did not become a king, whereas the High Priests and prominent men of the Temple were people very attractive in his eyes.  And so he allowed himself to be drawn into closer communication with their agents, who flattered him every way and told him in the greatest confidence that under any circumstances an end would soon be put to Jesus' career.

     During the last few days they followed him to Bethania, and thus he continued to sink deeper and deeper into depravity.  He almost ran his legs off to induce the High Priests to come to some conclusion.  But they would not come to terms and treated him with great contempt.  They told him that the time now intervening before the feast was too short.  If any action were taken now, it would create trouble and disturbance on the feast.  The Sanhedrin alone paid some degree of attention to his proposals.

     After his sacrilegious reception of the Sacrament, Satan took entire possession of him and he went off at once to complete his horrible crime.  He first sought those agents who had until now constantly flattered him and received him with apparent friendship.  Some others joined the party, among them Caiaphas and Annas, but those two named treated him very rudely and scornfully.  They were irresolute and mistrustful of the consequences, and did not place any confidence in Judas.

     The kingdom of hell divided against itself.  Satan desired the death of the Most Innocent; he longed for the death of Jesus, the Converter of sinners, the holy Teacher, the Savior, the Just One, whom he hated.  But at the same time he experienced a sentiment of fear at the thought of the guiltless death of Jesus, who would make no effort to conceal Himself, who would not save Himself; he envied Him the power of suffering innocently.  The adversary on the one side stimulated the hatred and fury of Jesus' enemies assembled around the traitor; and on the other, insinuated to some of their number that Judas was a scamp, a knave, that the sentence could not be pronounced before the festival, nor could the requisite number of witnesses against Jesus be brought together.

     They expressed opposite views upon the means to lay hold of Jesus, and some of them questioned Judas, saying, "Shall we be able to capture Him?  Has He not an armed band with Him?"  The traitor answered, "No!  He is alone with eleven disciples.  He Himself is greatly dejected and the eleven are quite faint-hearted."  He told them also that now was their time to apprehend Jesus, now or never, for later he might not have it in his power to deliver Him into their hands, and perhaps he would never return to them.  For several days past, he said, and especially on that present day, the other disciples and Jesus Himself aimed at him in their words; they appeared to divine what he was about, and if he returned to them again they would certainly murder him.  He added that, if they did not seize Jesus now, He would slip away and, returning with a large army of followers, would cause Himself to be proclaimed king.  By such threats as these, Judas at last succeeded.

     They yielded to his proposals to seize Jesus according to his directions, and he received the thirty pieces of silver, the price of his treason.  These thirty pieces were of silver in plates, in shape like a tongue.  In one end they were pierced with a hole, through which they were strung together with rings into a kind of chain.  Each piece bore some impression.  Judas could not help feeling the marked and contemptuous mistrust with which the Pharisees were treating him.  Pride and ostentation therefore urged him to present to them as an offering for the Temple the money he had just received.  By so doing, he thought to appear before them as an upright, disinterested man.  But they rejected it as the price of blood, which could not be offered in the Temple.

     Judas felt the cutting contempt, and he was filled with smothered rage.  He had not expected such treatment.  The consequences of his treachery were already assailing him even before his evil design was accomplished; but he was now too much entangled with his employers, he was in their hands and could not free himself.  They watched him closely and would not allow him to leave their sight, until he had laid before them the whole plan to be followed in apprehending Jesus.  After that three of the Pharisees went with the traitor down into a hall in which were the soldiers of the Temple.  None of them were of pure Jewish origin; they were of other and mixed nationalities.  When all was agreed upon and the requisite number of soldiers gathered together, Judas, accompanied by a servant of the Pharisees, ran first to the Cenacle in order to see whether Jesus was still there; for if such were the case, they could easily have taken Him by setting guards at the door.  This information Judas had agreed to send the Pharisees by a messenger.

     A short time before, after Judas had received the price of his treason, a Pharisee had gone down and despatched seven slaves to procure the wood, and get Jesus' cross ready at once in case He should be judged, for next day, on account of the Paschal feast, there would be no time to attend to it.  They brought the wood from a distance of about three-quarters of an hour, where it lay near a long high wall with a quantity of other wood belonging to the Temple, and dragged it to a square behind the tribunal of Caiaphas.  The trunk of the cross belonged to a tree that once grew in the Valley of Josaphat near the brook Cedron.  Having fallen across the stream, it had long served as a bridge.  When Nehemias hid the sacred fire and the holy vessels in the Pool of Bethsaida, it (along with other pieces of wood) had been used to cover them (Nehemiah 3:15-16).  Later on, it was again removed and thrown on the side of another woodpile.  Partly with the view of deriding the royalty of Jesus, partly by apparent chance, but in reality because such was the design of God, the cross was formed in a very peculiar way.  Together with the inscription, it consisted of five different pieces, consisting palm, olive, cedar and cypress woods.

     Judas returned and reported that Jesus was no longer in the Cenacle.  He must therefore be in His accustomed place of prayer on Mount Olives.  Judas urged that only a small number of soldiers might be sent with him, lest the disciples, who were everywhere on the watch, should perceive something unusual and raise a sedition.  Three hundred men were to be stationed at the gates and in the streets of Ophel, a part of the city to the south of the Temple, and along the valley of Millo as far as the house of Annas on Sion.  They were to be in readiness to send reinforcements if necessary, for, as Judas reminded the Pharisees, Jesus counted all the rabble of Ophel among His followers.  The infamous traitor told them also how careful they must be that He might not escape them, and recalled the fact of His often, by some mysterious means, suddenly becoming invisible and concealing Himself in the mountains from His companions.  He recommended them, moreover, to bind Him with a chain and to make use of certain magical means to prevent His breaking His bonds.  The Jews rejected his advice with scorn, saying, "We are not to be dictated to by you.  When we get Him, we shall hold Him fast."

     Judas arranged with the soldiers that he would enter the garden before them, kiss and salute Jesus as a friend and disciple coming to Him on some business; then they were to step forward and take Him into custody.  He wanted to behave as if their coming coincided accidentally with his own, for he thought that after the betrayal he would take to flight like the other disciples and be heard of no more.  He likewise thought that perhaps a tumult would ensue in which the Apostles would defend themselves and Jesus would disappear as He had so often done before.  These thoughts especially occupied him now that he was thoroughly vexed at the contemptuous and distrustful manner of Jesus' enemies toward him, but not because his evil deed caused him remorse or the thought of Jesus touched him, for he had wholly given himself over to Satan.

     He was very desirous also that the soldiers immediately following him should not carry chains and fetters, or that any notoriously infamous characters should appear in the party.  The soldiers pretended to accede to his wishes though in reality they regarded him as a dishonorable traitor of whom they had need, but who was not to be trusted and who was to be cast off when no longer of use.  They had received special instructions to keep a close watch on him, and not to let him out of their sight and custody until they had taken Jesus and bound Him, for he had received his pay and it was feared that the rascal would run off with the money and, in the darkness of night, they would either not capture Jesus at all, or else take another instead of Him.  In this case, nothing would come of the undertaking but disturbance and excitement on the Paschal feast.

     The band that had been chosen for Jesus' apprehension was composed of about twenty soldiers, some of whom belonged to the Temple guard, and others were in the employ of Annas and Caiaphas.  Their dress was almost like that of the Roman soldiers.  They wore helmets, and from the doublets hung leathern straps around their hips just like the Romans.  The principal difference between them, however, was their beard, for the Roman soldiers in Jerusalem wore whiskers only, their chin and upper lip being shaved.  All of the twenty carried swords, and only a few were armed with spears also.  Some bore lanterns mounted on long poles, while others carried torches of sticks smeared with pitch, but when they approached only one of the lanterns was lighted.  The pharisees had intended sending a larger band with Judas, but he objected that so large a crowd would attract notice, since the Mount of Olives commanded a view of the whole valley.  The greater part of them, therefore, remained in Ophel.  Sentinels were stationed around here and there on the byroads, as well as in the city in order to prevent a tumult or any attempt at rescue.

     Judas went forward with the twenty soldiers, followed at some distance by four common executioners of the lowest grade, who carried ropes and fetters.  Some steps behind these came those six agents with whom Judas had for a short time past been in communication.  Of these one was a priest, a confidential friend of Annas; another was devoted to Caiaphas; the third and fourth were Pharisees; and the remaining two were agents of the Sadducees and at the same time Herodians.  All were spies, sneaking fellows, cringing eye-servants of Annas and Caiaphas, and in secret the most malicious enemies of the Savior.  The twenty soldiers accompanied Judas in a friendly manner until they reached the place where the road divided between the Garden of Gethsemani and that of Olives.  Here they refused to allow him advance alone.  They adopted quite another tone, and acted toward him insolently and saucily.

     When Jesus with the three Apostles went out upon the road between Gethsemani and the Garden of Olives, there appeared at the entrance, about twenty paces ahead, Judas and the band of soldiers, between whom a quarrel had arisen.  Judas wanted to separate from the soldiers and go forward alone to Jesus, as if he were a friend returning after an absence.  They were to follow, and act in such a way as to make it appear that their coming was altogether unknown to him.  But they would not agree to his proposal.  They held him fast, exclaiming, "Not so, friend!  You shall not escape us until we have the Galilean!" and when they caught sight of the eight Apostles who, at the sound of the noise came forth from the Garden of Gethsemani, they called up four of the archers to their assistance.  But this Judas by no means assented to, and a lively dispute arose between him and the soldiers.  When Jesus and the three Apostles by the light of the torches distinguished the armed and wrangling band, Peter wished to repel them by force.  He exclaimed, "Lord, the Eight from Gethsemani are close at hand.  Let us make an attack on the archers!"  But Jesus told him to hold his peace; and took a few steps with them back on the road to a green plot.  Judas, seeing his plans quite upset, was filled with rage and spite.  Just at this moment, four of the disciples issued from the Garden of Gethsemani and inquired what was going on.  Judas began to exchange words with them, and would fain have cleared himself by a lie, but the guards would not allow him to go on.  These four last comers were James Alpheus, Philip, Thomas and Nathanael.  They were driven by anxiety as well as by curiosity.  With the exception of these four, all the other disciples were straggling around in the distance, furtively on the lookout to discover what they could.

     Jesus took some steps toward the band and said in a loud, distinct voice, "Whom do you seek?"  The leaders answered, "Jesus of Nazareth," whereupon Jesus replied, "I am He."  But scarcely had He uttered the words when, as if suddenly attacked by convulsions, they crowded back and fell to the ground one upon another.  Judas, who was still standing by them, became more and more embarrassed.  He looked as if desirous of approaching Jesus; consequently the Lord extended His hand, saying, "Friend, why have you come?"  Judas, confused and perplexed, stammered out something about a commission he had executed.  Jesus in reply uttered, "Oh, how much better it would have been for you if you had never been born!"  Meanwhile the soldiers had risen and approached the Lord and His Apostles, awaiting the traitor's sign, the kiss.

     Peter and the other disciples gathered around Judas, calling him a thief and a traitor.  He tried to free himself by all kinds of excuses, but just at that moment the soldiers came up with offers of protection, thus openly witnessing against him.

     Jesus again inquired, "Whom do you seek?"  Turning toward Him, they again answered, "Jesus of Nazareth."  Jesus again replied, "I am He.  I have already told you that I am He.  If you seek Me, let these go."  At the words, "I am He," the soldiers fell to the ground a second time.  They writhed as if struck with epilepsy, and Judas was again surrounded by the other Apostles, for they were exasperated to a degree against him.  Jesus now called out to the soldiers, "Arise!" and they arose full of terror.  Judas was still struggling with the Apostles, who were pressing up against the guards.  The latter turned upon them and freed the traitor urging him anew to give them the sign agreed upon.  They had been ordered to seize no one but Him whom Judas would kiss.  Judas now approached Jesus, embraced Him and kissed Him with the words, "Hail, Rabbi!"  Jesus said, "Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"  The soldiers instantly formed a circle around Jesus, and the archers, drawing near, laid hands upon Him.  Judas wanted to flee at once, but the Apostles would not allow him.  They rushed upon the soldiers, crying out, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"  Peter, more impetuous than the rest, seized the sword and struck at Malchus, the servant of the High Priest, who was trying to drive them back, and cut off a piece of his ear.  Malchus fell to the ground thereby increasing the confusion. (Mat 26:47-51 & Mark 14:43-47 & Luke 22:47-50 & John 18:1-12)

     At the moment of Peter's impetuous movement, the soldiers were still too much alarmed by their late fall and too much afraid of weakening the circle around Jesus, to make any active pursuit.  Judas, immediately after his traitorous kiss, wanted to make his escape, was met on his way by some of the disciples, who overwhelmed him with reproaches.  Six official functionaries hastened to his rescue, while the four guards were busy around Jesus with cords and bands, being on the point of binding Him.

     This was the state of affairs when Peter struck down Malchus and Jesus said, "Peter, put up your sword, for whoever takes the sword shall perish by the sword.  Do you think that I cannot ask My Father to send Me more than twelve legions of angels?  Shall I not drink the chalice that My Father has given Me?  How will the Scriptures be fulfilled if it shall not thus be done?"  Then He added, "Allow Me to heal the man!" and going to Malchus, He touched his ear and prayed, and at the same moment it was healed.  The guard, the executioners, and the six officers, surrounded Jesus.  They mocked Him, saying to the crowd, "He has dealings with the devil.  It was by witchcraft that the ear appeared to be cut off, and now by witchcraft it appears to be healed." (Matt 26:52-54 & John 18:10-11)

     The disciples fled on all sides.  The four executioners and the six Pharisees did not fall to the ground, nor did they in consequence rise again.  The reason for this was that they were in the same rank as Judas, that is, entirely in the power of Satan.  Judas did not fall at the words of Jesus, although he was standing among the soldiers.  All those that fell and rose up again were afterward converted and became Christians.  Their falling and rising were symbolical of their conversion.  They had not laid hands upon Jesus; they merely stood around Him,.  Malchus after his healing was already converted to such a degree that he only kept up appearances in respect to the service he owed the High Priest; and during the following hours, those of Jesus' Passion, he ran backward and forward to Mary and the other friends, giving them news of all that was taking place.

     While the executioners were dragging Jesus over sharp stones, thorns, and thistles, His naked feet bleeding, the scornful satirical speeches of the six Pharisees were piercing His loving Heart.  It was at these moments they made use of such mockery as, "His precursor, the Baptist, did not prepare a good way for Him here!," or "The words of Malachias, 'I send My angel before Thee, to prepare Thy way' does not apply here," or "Why does He not raise John from the dead that he may prepare the way for Him?"  Such were the taunts uttered by these ignominious creatures and received with rude shouts of laughter.  They were caught up in turn by the executioners, who were incited thus to load poor Jesus with fresh ill usage.

     After the soldiers had driven the Lord forward for some time, they noticed several persons lurking around here and there in the distance.  They were disciples who, upon the report of Jesus' arrest, had come from Bethphage and other hiding places, to spy around and see how it was faring with their Master.  At sight of them, Jesus' enemies became anxious, let they should make a sudden attack and rescue Him; therefore they signalled by a call to Ophel to send a reinforcement, as had been agreed upon.

     The procession was still some minutes distant from the entrance which, to the south of the Temple, led through Ophel to Mount Sion, upon which Annas and Caiaphas dwelt, when a band of fifty soldiers issuing from the gate, in order to reinforce their companions.  They came forward in three groups, the first ten strong; the middle group twenty five, and the last fifteen.  They bore several torches.  They were bold and wanton in their bearing, and they shouted and hurrahed as they came along, as if to announce themselves to the approaching band and to congratulate them on their success.  Their coming was a noisy one.  At the moment in which the foremost band joined Jesus' escort, a slight confusion arose, and Malchus and several others dropped out of the rear and slipped off in the direction of the Mount of Olives.

     When this shouting band hurried from Ophel by torchlight, to meet the approaching procession, the disciples lurked in all directions.  The Blessed Virgin, in her trouble and anguish, with Martha, Magdalen, Mary Cleophas, Mary Salome, Mary Marcus, Susanna, Johanna Chusa, Veronica, and Salome, again directed her steps to the Valley of Josaphat.  Lazarus, John Mark, Veronica's son, and Simeon's son were with them.  These men along with Nathanael had been in Gethsemani with the eight Apostles, and had fled when the tumult began.  They brought news to the Blessed Virgin.  Meanwhile they heard the cries and saw the torches of the two bands as they met.  The Blessed Virgin was in uninterrupted contemplation of Jesus' torments and was in sympathetic suffering with her Divine Son.  She allowed the holy women to lead her back part of the way so that, when the tumultuous procession should have passed, she might again return to the house of Mary Marcus.

     The fifty soldiers belonged to a company of three hundred men who had been sent at once to guard the gates and streets of Ophel and its surroundings, for Judas the traitor had drawn the High Priest's attention to the fact that the inhabitants of Ophel, who were mostly poor artisans, day laborers and carriers of wood and water to the Temple, were the most attached partisans of Jesus.  It might easily be feared therefore that some attempt would be made to free Him as He passed through.  The traitor knew very well that here Jesus had bestowed upon many of the poor laborers consolation, instruction, healing and alms.  It was also here in Ophel that Jesus had tarried when, after the murder of John the Baptist in Machaerus, he was journeying back from Bethania to Hebron.  He had paused awhile, to console John's friends, and He had healed many of the poor day laborers and hod carriers who had been wounded at the overthrow of the great building and tower of Silo. (Luke 13:4)  Most of these people joined the Christian Community after the descent of the Holy Spirit.

     Peter and John, who were following the procession at some distance when it entered the city, ran hurriedly to some of the good acquaintances who John had among the servants of the High Priests, to find in some way an opportunity of entering the judgement hall into which their Master would soon be brought.  Judas meanwhile, the devil at his side, like a frantic malefactor, was wandering around the steep, wild precipices south of Jerusalem where all the filth of the city was thrown.

     The stillness of the night began to be more and more interrupted by the din and bustle around the court of Caiaphas.  This quarter was brilliantly lighted up with torches and burning pitch lamps, while from around the city sounded the bellowing of the numerous beasts of burden and animals for sacrifice belonging to the multitudes of strangers now in the Paschal quarters.  Ah, how touching was the sound of the bleating of the gentle, innocent, hapless lambs.  It was heard throughout the night from countless little victims which were to be slaughtered the next morning in the Temple.  One alone was offered, because He Himself willed it.  Like a sheep led to the slaughter, He opened not His mouth; and like a lamb dumb before the shearers, He opened not His mouth. (Isa 53:7)  That pure, spotless Paschal Lamb was Jesus Christ.

     Above these scenes on earth was spread a sky whose appearance was strikingly dark and lowering.  The moon sailed on with a threatening aspect, her disc covered with spots.  She appeared as if it were sick and in dread, as if shuddering at the prospect of the coming full, for then it was that Jesus was to be put to death.  Outside the city to the south, in the steep, wild, and dismal Vale of Hinnon, wandering companionless through accursed, swampy places filled with ordure and refuse, lashed by his guilty conscience, fleeing from his own shadow, hunted by Satan, was Judas Iscariot, the traitor, while thousands of evil spirits were hurrying around on all sides urging men on to wickedness and entangling them in sin.  Hell was let loose, and everywhere were its inmates tempting mankind to evil.  The burden of the Lamb grew heavier, and the fury of Satan taking a twofold increase, became blind and insane in its effects.  The Lamb took all the burden upon Himself, but Satan willed the sin.  And although the Righteous One sins not, although this vainly tempted One falls not, yet His enemies perish in their own sin.

     While Jesus was in Prison, Judas, who until then like one in despair and driven by the demon, was wandering around the Vale of Hinnon, on the steep southern side of Jerusalem, where lay naught but refuse, bones, and carrion.  He approached the precincts of Caiaphas' judgement hall.  He stole around with the bundle of silver pieces, the price of his treachery, still hanging to the girdle at his side, the pieces linked together by a little chain.  All was silent.  Judas unrecognized asked the guard what was going to happen to the Galilean.  He replied, "He has been condemned to death, and He will be crucified."  He heard some people telling one another how dreadfully Jesus had been treated, and how patient He was, while others said that at daybreak He was to appear again before the High Council to receive solemn condemnation.

     While the traitor, in order to escape recognition, gathered up this news here and there, day dawned and things began to stir both in and around the hall.  Judas, to escape being seen, slipped off behind the house.  Like Cain, he fled the sight of men. (Gen 4:13-16)  Despair was taking possession of his soul.  But what did he meet here?  This was the place where the cross had been put together.  The several pieces lay in order side by side, and the workmen, wrapped in their mantles, were lying asleep.  The sky glistened with a white light above the Mount of Olives, as if shuddering at the sight of the instrument of our Redemption.  Judas glanced at it in horror, and fled.  He had seen the gibbet to which he had sold the Lord!  He fled from the spot and hid, resolved to await the result of the morning trial.

     Judas, the traitor, lurking at no great distance, heard the noise of the advancing procession, and words such as these dropped by stragglers hurrying after it, "They are taking Him to Pilot."  "The Sanhedrin has condemned the Galilean to death."  "He has to die on the cross."  "He can not live much longer, for they have already handled Him shockingly."  " He is patient as one beside himself with horror."  "He speaks not excepting to say that He is the Messiah and that He will one day sit at the right hand of God.  That is all that He says, therefore He must be crucified.  If He had not said that, they could have brought no cause of death against Him, but now He must hang on the cross."  "The wretch that sold Him was one of His own disciples and he had only a short time previously eaten the Paschal lamb with Him."  "I should not like to have a share in that deed."  "Whatever the Galilean may be, He has never delivered a friend to death for money."  "In truth, the wretch that sold Him deserves to hang!"

     Then anguish, despair, and remorse began to struggle in the soul of Judas, but all too late.  Satan instigated him to flee.  The bag of silver pieces hanging from his girdle under his mantle was for him like a hellish spur.  He grasped it tightly in his hand, to prevent its rattling and striking him at every step.  On he ran at full speed, not after the procession, not to cast himself in Jesus' path to implore mercy and forgiveness, not to die with Jesus.  No, not to confess with contrition before his Lord his awful crime, but to disburden himself of his guilt and the price of his treachery before men, rather than God.

     Like one bereft of his senses, he rushed into the Temple, where there were several members of the Council, whose duty it was to serve.  Also present were some of the Elders who had gone directly there after the condemnation of Jesus.  They glanced wonderingly at each other, and then fixed their gaze with a proud and scornful smile upon Judas who stood before them, his countenance distorted by despairing grief.  He tore the bag of silver pieces from his girdle and held it toward them with the right hand, while in a voice of agony he cried, "Take back your money!  By it you have led me to betray the Just One.  Take back your money!  Release Jesus!  I recall my contract.  I have sinned grievously by betraying innocent blood!"

     The priests poured out upon him the whole measure of their contempt.  Raising their hands they stepped back before the proffered silver, as if to preserve themselves from pollution, and said, "What is it to us that you have sinned?  Do you think you have sold innocent blood?  You look to it!  It is your own affair!  We know what we have bought from you, and we find Him deserving of death.  You have your money.  We want none of it!"

     With these and similar words spoken quickly and in the manner of men that have business on hand and that wish to get away from an importunate visitor, they turned from Judas.  Their treatment inspired him with such rage and despair that he became like one insane.  His hair stood on end, and with both hands he rent asunder the chain that held the silver pieces together, scattered them in the Temple and fled from the city. (Mat 27:3-5)

     Judas ran like a maniac in the Vale of Hinnon with Satan under a horrible form at his side.  The evil one, to drive him to despair, was whispering into his ear all the curses the Prophets had ever invoked upon this vale, where the ancient people had once sacrificed their own children to idols. (2Chr 33:6)  It seemed to him that all those maledictions were directed against himself; as, for instance, "They shall go forth, and behold the carcasses of those that have sinned against Me, whose worm dieth not, and whose fire shall never be extinguished" (Mark 9:47-48 & Isa 66:24)

     Then sounded again his ears, "Cain, where is Abel, your brother?  What have you done?  His blood cries to Me.  Cursed be you upon the earth, a wanderer and a fugitive!" (Gen 4:9-12)  And when, reaching the brook Cedron, he gazed over at the Mount of Olives, he shuddered and turned his eyes away, while in his ears rang the words, "Friend, whereto have you come?  Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?" (Luke 22:47-48)

     Then horror filled his soul!  His mind began to wander, and the fiend again whispered into his ear, "It was here that David crossed the Cedron when fleeing from Absalom.  Absalom died hanging on a tree. (2 Sam 18:9)  David also sang of you when he said, "And they repaid me evil for good. (Ps 35:12)  May he have a hard judge!  May Satan stand at his right hand, and may every tribunal of justice condemn him!  Let his days be few, and his bishopric let another take!  May the iniquity of his father be remembered in the sight of the Lord, and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out, because he persecuted the poor without mercy and put to death the broken in heart!  He has loved cursing, and it shall come unto him.  And he put on cursing like a garment, and like water it went to his entrails, like oil into his bones.  May it be unto him like a garment which covereth him, and like a girdle may it enclose him forever!"

     Amid these frightful torments of conscience, Judas reached a desolate spot full of rubbish, refuse, and swampy water southeast of Jerusalem, at the foot of the Mount of Scandals where no one could see him.  From the city came repeated sounds of noisy tumult, and Satan whispered again, "Now He is being led to death!  You have sold Him!  Know you not how the law runs, "He who sells a soul among his brethren and receives the price of it, let him die the death?" (Gen 9:6 & Deut 27:25 & Jer 22:17-19)  "Put an end to yourself!"  Overcome by despair, Judas took his girdle and hung himself on a tree.  The tree was one that consisted of several trunks, and rose out of a hollow in the ground.  As he hung, his body burst asunder, and his bowels poured out upon the earth. (Acts 1:16-20)

     Peter taught until late at night in the school of Thanath-Silo.  He spoke out quite freely of how the Jews had dealt with Jesus.  He related many things of His last predictions and teachings, of His unspeakable love, of His prayer on Mount Olives, and of Judas' treachery and wretched end.  The people were very much amazed and troubled at all they heard, for they loved Judas who in Jesus' absence had assisted many by his readiness to serve them, and had even wrought miracles.  Peter did not spare himself.  He recounted his flight and denial with bitter tears.  His hearers wept with him.  Then, with still more vehement expressions of sorrow, he told of how cruelly the Jews had treated Jesus, of His rising again on the third day, of His appearing first to the women, and then to some of the others, and lastly to all in general, and he called upon all present that had seen Him to witness to His words.  All were very much impressed by Peter's words.

     Judas and Peter were sinners; we all are.  Apparently Judas did not humble himself to ask Jesus for forgiveness, though he had had the same opportunity to do so that Peter had.

         When I declared not my sin, my body wasted away

                through my groaning all day long.

          For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me;

          my strength dried up as by the heat of summer.

                  I acknowledged my sin to thee,

                 and I did not hide my iniquity;

    I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord";

           then thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin.

                                   Psalms 32:3-5