Read Luke 22: 47 – 53.

“Get out of my house, you thief! I do not want to keep you any more!” my brother shouted. He slapped me and threw my things out of his house. I tried to argue for myself, and convince him that I was not responsible for the missing goods, but he stood his ground.

“Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” …Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. - Luke 22: 48, 50 – 51

Life in the street was difficult. There was no one I could call on for shelter or for food. But one night I found hope. In earnest prayer I heard, “He is the father of the fatherless, and hope to the hopeless.”

In the morning I went to my friend. I narrated the whole story to him. He felt sorry for me and offered me a place to stay. I told myself not to stop praying. This was the genesis of my happiness and good life. I called this friend a brother, indeed.

Later, I felt sorry for myself when I heard it was this same person who told my brother I was stealing. I considered him a friend and wondered how he could do this. I thought maybe it had happened for me to know my God better.

The experience reminds me of the story of Judas Iscariot. Sometimes we cannot trust the love of our friends. Sometimes when we save someone, that person might one day betray us. With a lack of love, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus. But Jesus responded with love and even healing. We are to do the same.

Prayer:

Lord, show us how to be a true friend, even in the face of betrayal. Thank you for the example of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.