Our Holy Father Meletius, Archbishop of Antioch (379-95)
Read
1 John 3:21-4:6; Mark 14:43-15:1
The kiss of Judas is one of the most haunting acts of betrayal portrayed in the Holy Scripture. Here is a man who is counted as one of the twelve, which means that he was part of the intimate group with Jesus, and a leader in training. One who had been with Jesus for years, following him, hearing him preach, witnessing him powerfully fulfil the prophecies concerning the Messiah and bringing with authority the power of God into their midst. Yet he approaches Jesus as a sly, two-faced betrayer. Greed, which is idolatry, pulls Judas away from Jesus and the good company of the other disciples. It darkens Judas’ heart, blinds him and surrounded with perverse and faithless brigands. This is a setting which propels him to capture the Lord of the Universe. He greets our Lord with respect, by word only, as he calls him Rabbi as if he were a humble disciple. To stress the great hypocrisy of Judas’ act St. Mark uses the word kataphileo, which would translate fervent kiss. This is not just an ordinary kiss of greeting, but a kiss of great intensity. This word is used by St. Luke when speaking about the Father who welcomed the Prodigal Son back home. Judas deceitfully behaves as a loving and devoted disciple, but behind his mask is a cold opportunist looking to use the sacred for personal gain.
As we prepare for Great Lent let us keep in mind that this is a time of repentance. A time when we humbly and honestly examine our hearts. If we allow him, the Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, will convict us of any falsehood, hypocrisy or greed. That by the grace of God we may be empowered this Lenten season to uproot any growing passions which may lead us to Judas like behaviour.