Gospel Reading: John 13:21-38

21 When Jesus had said this, He was troubled in heart. He told them in very plain words, saying, "For sure, I tell you, one of you is going to hand Me over to the leaders of the country."

 22 The followers began to look at each other. They did not know which one He was speaking of. 23 One follower, whom Jesus loved, was beside Jesus. 24 Simon Peter got this follower to look his way. He wanted him to ask Jesus which one He was speaking of. 25 While close beside Jesus, he asked, "Lord, who is it?" 26 Jesus answered, "It is the one I give this piece of bread to after I have put it in the dish." Then He put the bread in the dish and gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 After Judas had eaten the piece of bread, Satan went into him. Jesus said to Judas, "What you are going to do, do in a hurry."

 28 No one at the supper knew why Jesus had said this to Judas. 29 They thought it was because Judas carried the bag of money, and Jesus had said that Judas should buy what they needed for the religious gathering. Or they thought Judas should give something to poor people. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the piece of bread, he went out. It was night.

31 After Judas went out, Jesus said, "The Son of Man is now honored and God has been honored in Him. 32 If God is honored in Him, God will also honor Him in Himself right now. 33 Little children, I will be with you only a little while. You will look for Me. I say to you what I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going, you cannot come!' 34 I give you a new Law. You are to love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. 35 If you love each other, all men will know you are My followers."

36 Simon Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, where are You going?" Jesus answered, "You cannot follow Me now where I am going. Later you will follow Me." 37 Peter said to Jesus, "Why can I not follow You now? I will die for You." 38 Jesus answered Peter, "Will you die for Me? For sure, I tell you, before a rooster crows, you will have said three times that you do not know Me."

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6

3 And He said to Me, "You are My Servant Israel, in Whom I will show My shining-greatness." 4 But I said, "My work has been for nothing. I have spent My strength for nothing. Yet for sure what should come to Me is with the Lord, and My pay is with My God."  

Meditation: Jesus' disciples were put to the test as Jesus prepared to make the final and ultimate sacrifice of his own life for their sake and for all the world. What was different between Peter and Judas? Judas deliberately betrayed his Master while Peter, in a moment of weakness, denied him with an oath and a curse. Judas' act was cold and calculated. Peter, however, never meant to do what he did. He acted impulsively, out of weakness and cowardice. Jesus knew both the strength of Peter's loyalty and the weakness of his resolution. He had a habit of speaking with his heart without thinking through the implications of what he was saying. The treachery of Judas, however, is seen at its worst when Jesus makes his appeal by showing special affection to him at his last supper. John says that Satan entered into Judas when he rejected Jesus and left to pursue his evil course. Satan can twist love and turn it into hate. He can turn holiness into pride, discipline into cruelty, affection into complacency. We must be on our guard lest Satan turn us from the love of God and the path which God has chosen for us. The Holy Spirit will give us grace and strength in our time of testing. If we submit to Jesus we will walk in the light of his truth and love. If we turn our backs on him we will stumble and fall in the ways of sin and darkness. Are you ready to follow Jesus in his way of the cross?

Prayer: "Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart which no unworthy thought can drag downwards; an unconquered heart which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside.  Bestow upon me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord."  (Prayer of Thomas Aquinas)

Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17

1 I have a safe place in you, O Lord. Let me never be ashamed.
 2 Because You are right and good, take me out of trouble. Turn Your ear to me and save me.
 3 Be a rock to me where I live, where I may always come and where I will be safe. For You are my rock and my safe place.
 4 O my God, take me from the hand of the sinful, from the hand of the wrong-doer and the man without pity.
 5 For You are my hope, O Lord God. You are my trust since I was young.
 6 You have kept me safe from birth. It was You Who watched over me from the day I was born. My praise is always of You.

15 My mouth will tell about how right and good You are and about Your saving acts all day long. For there are more than I can know.

17 O God, You have taught me from when I was young. And I still tell about Your great works.