{"id":28261,"date":"2015-10-27T01:57:32","date_gmt":"2015-10-27T07:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/?p=21363"},"modified":"2021-01-29T02:05:03","modified_gmt":"2021-01-29T08:05:03","slug":"the-dipping-dish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/the-dipping-dish\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dipping Dish","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Judas dips into bowl<\/i>, artist unknown<\/span><\/p>\n

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PAPAL <\/b>palpitations are continuing to give way to anxious questions, conspiracies, and fear that the Barque of Peter is heading for rocky shoals. The fears tend to revolve around why the Pope gave some clerical positions to \u201cliberals\u201d or let them take key roles in the recent Synod on the Family.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

But maybe the question one could also ask is why Jesus appointed Judas to be one of the Twelve Apostles? I mean, Our Lord had hundreds of followers, and at times thousands\u2014the throngs who listened to Him preach; then there were the 72 whom He sent off on missions; and again, the twelve men whom He chose to form the foundations of the Church.<\/p>\n

Not only did Jesus allow Judas into the inner-most circle, but Judas was apparently placed in a key curial position: treasurer<\/i>.<\/p>\n

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…he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. (John 12:6)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Surely Our Lord, who read the hearts of the Pharisees, could have read the heart of Judas. Surely He knew that this man was not on the same page… yes, surely He knew. And yet, we read that Judas was even given a place\u00a0near Jesus at the Last Supper.<\/p>\n

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As they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, \u201cTruly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.\u201d They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, \u201cIs it I?\u201d He said to them, \u201cIt is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me.\u201d (Mark 14:18-20)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Christ, the spotless Lamb, was dipping His hand into the same bowl \"\"as the one whom He knew would betray Him. Furthermore, Jesus let Himself be kissed on the cheek by Judas\u2014a sorrowful, but predictable act.<\/p>\n

Why did Our Lord allow Judas to hold such positions of power in His \u201ccuria” and to be so near Him? Could it be that Jesus wanted to give Judas every opportunity to repent? Or was it to show us that Love does not pick the perfect? Or that when a souls seems utterly lost that still \u201clove hopes all things\u201d? [1]<\/sup><\/a>cf. 1 Cor 13:7<\/span><\/span>