Yesterday I spoke to you about Judas and the horrible sin he committed. You learned that Judas did not listen to his conscience when it told him not to love money so much. You saw how small faults grow until sometimes they lead to great sins. Now let us see today what Judas did after he talked with the men who wished to kill Jesus. You see these men were afraid to arrest Jesus in broad daylight for they feared the people would come to help Him. Jesus had cured many from sickness and had been kind and gentle with sinners. So when Judas came and said he could tell them where they might catch Jesus without the people knowing of it, these wicked men were very glad. They offered Judas thirty pieces of silver, which would be about nineteen dollars in our money. Just think, children, to sell our dear Lord for a small sum of money!
Then Judas told them where Jesus usually spent the night. He said the Apostles would be asleep and Jesus would be praying in the Garden of Olives. He himself would meet them there and show them where Jesus was. Then they asked him how they would know Jesus, and Judas answered, "Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is He; lay hold on Him and lead Him away carefully." Again, think what a dreadful thing Judas was going to do! He would kiss Jesus as a sign that He was the man they wanted. With a kiss he betrayed His Master. A kiss is a sign of great friendship and the wicked Judas used it as a sign to betray Jesus!
Do you think that men and women ever act as if they were friendly to Jesus and then turn traitor to Him ? Yes, indeed, they do this when they receive Holy Communion with a mortal sin on their soul. Oh, yes, they are sometimes so careless about preparing for Holy Communion that they do not confess all their mortal sins. Perhaps they hide one sin that they are afraid to tell the priest. The devil tells them that the priest will scold them, or that he will think they are wicked. So they do not tell all the big sins and receive^ Jesus into their wicked hearts just as Judas gave Jesus over to the bad men who hated Him. Ask Jesus, dear children, never to let you do such a horrible deed. Examine your conscience carefully each night, and especially before going to confession, then you need never fear that you will act as Judas did.
Practice:
1. I will never go to bed without having examined my conscience well.
2. I will pray that I may never make a bad Communion.
Jesus, hanging on the Cross,
Tell me, was it I?
There are great big tear drops, Lord,
Did I make you cry?
I have been a naughty child,
Naughty as can be;
Now I am so sorry, Lord,
Won't you pardon me?
Source: Practical Aids for Catholic Teachers, Imprimatur 1928
To be continued tomorrow . . . . . . . .
Then Judas told them where Jesus usually spent the night. He said the Apostles would be asleep and Jesus would be praying in the Garden of Olives. He himself would meet them there and show them where Jesus was. Then they asked him how they would know Jesus, and Judas answered, "Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is He; lay hold on Him and lead Him away carefully." Again, think what a dreadful thing Judas was going to do! He would kiss Jesus as a sign that He was the man they wanted. With a kiss he betrayed His Master. A kiss is a sign of great friendship and the wicked Judas used it as a sign to betray Jesus!
Do you think that men and women ever act as if they were friendly to Jesus and then turn traitor to Him ? Yes, indeed, they do this when they receive Holy Communion with a mortal sin on their soul. Oh, yes, they are sometimes so careless about preparing for Holy Communion that they do not confess all their mortal sins. Perhaps they hide one sin that they are afraid to tell the priest. The devil tells them that the priest will scold them, or that he will think they are wicked. So they do not tell all the big sins and receive^ Jesus into their wicked hearts just as Judas gave Jesus over to the bad men who hated Him. Ask Jesus, dear children, never to let you do such a horrible deed. Examine your conscience carefully each night, and especially before going to confession, then you need never fear that you will act as Judas did.
Practice:
1. I will never go to bed without having examined my conscience well.
2. I will pray that I may never make a bad Communion.
Jesus, hanging on the Cross,
Tell me, was it I?
There are great big tear drops, Lord,
Did I make you cry?
I have been a naughty child,
Naughty as can be;
Now I am so sorry, Lord,
Won't you pardon me?
Source: Practical Aids for Catholic Teachers, Imprimatur 1928
To be continued tomorrow . . . . . . . .
RSS Feed