John 13: 21-33, 36-38

One of the most important factors in any relationship is TRUST. We need trust in friendships; We need trust in a business partnership; We need trust in marriage. On the other hand, it is very painful if the trust is destroyed.

I remember a story of a woman whose husband left her and went with her best friend. Adding insult to injury, she felt she was the dirtiest person in the world who is not capable of being loved.

Today in the Gospel, Christ was not exempted from this very painful human experience – his trust in Judas Iscariot was not reciprocated. He was betrayed.

Since none of us is exempted from betrayal, three things we remember:

1. The more trusted the person, the more painful the betrayal. If it is an enemy that betrays us, we tell ourselves, “it is expected.” If it is an acquaintance that betrays us, we tell ourselves, “I can move on.” What if it is a loved one? What if it is someone you trusted? Expect the pain to last for a while and healing to take some time.
   
2. People change. Of course, the most difficult question when dealing with betrayal, “Why did you do this to me?” Whether we get an answer or not is immaterial. We realize that people change. Hence, the signal to move on.
   
3. Love yourself.  Jesus said the most important commandment is to love God and love your neighbor as yourself. If you cannot love yourself, don’t expect other people to love you. When dealing with betrayal, it is time to love yourself more to be able to start the healing.

In this Mass,

• We reflect the start of Jesus’ passion with Judas betraying him.
• We also reflect on the words of Jesus on the cross, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they do.”
• We reflect on our own lives: the people whose trust we betrayed and the people who betrayed our trust. It will forever be a part of our lives but may it never hinder us to love and trust again.