Betrayed with a kiss

 

Yesterday, we prayed with Jesus in the garden.  We slowed down, to a donkey’s gait/pace, to let scripture soak and saturate into our bones and souls, and sing to our beautifully broken lives.  Today, I invite you to hear these heartbreaking and soul aching words:

 

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will die by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to God, and God will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a rebel? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

 

Betrayed with a kiss…we all have that story in our heart.  We can be betrayed by gossip or a partner cheating/hiding/lying and keeping their shadow side from us.  We can be betrayed by systems meant to protect and defend us (this includes: the church, place we work, police, schools, government because all are human institutions).  We can be betrayed by our families.  We can be betrayed by the way we treat ourselves.  And when we do, our brain ~ that fight or flight part ~ goes into overdrive and we start swing swords like the disciple above.  We swing swords of words online to score points on an imaginary scoreboard of life.  We swing swords of political power.  We swing swords of religious pietism that we want to show we are the “true” believers, and “they” are the hypocrites.  I may not own an actual sword, but I have been known to try to cut off an ear or two in my life nevertheless through my words and actions.  When have the above words been your story?  When have you fled or hid in fear?  Right now, we know that beloved children of God who are here in the United States and work difficult and demanding jobs (that most of us would never want or do) are hiding in fear because they don’t know if their paperwork is enough, or God forbid, they do not have paper work at all.  We are poor students of history to see that we are again repeating the past of blaming the immigrants for all the problems that have vexed us forever.  Save us, O God, for we cannot save ourselves.  We continue to worship at the altar of vitriol and venom.  We continue to worship, not a God of vulnerable love, but one who “wins” ~ whatever that means ~ and by any means necessary.  Save us, O God, for we cannot save ourselves.  The power of Holy Week is that it didn’t just happen as a historical event, it continues to happen right here and now.  We are living this story, and it is still authoring our lives ~ individually and collectively.  Save us, O God, for we cannot save ourselves.  Where are you swing swords in the name of shalom ~ peace?  Where are you fleeing from others because it is easier to hate from a distance?  Where are you betraying others and yourself?  These are not easy questions, but they are the ones we prayerful seek to answer as we approach the cross, God’s love crucified on Friday.  May these questions break open your heart and soul and life to God whose cross-shaped love longs to re-author your life/story.  Amen.