Betrayal is redeemable...

St Matthias, Apostle. Thursday 14th May, 2020

St Matthias was elected to replace Judas Iscariot in the early Christian Church. He had been a disciple and had known and followed Jesus, a necessary qualification, and of good character. Others were put forward also. It was a particular position within the Community. I was a little shocked when in to my mind came thoughts of bureaucracy and hierarchy and power. These from an early stage began to burden the Church. Somehow corruption seems to begin and we have stories of jealousies, disagreements and even the shocking story of Ananias and Sapphira, lying to preserve their property. Over the centuries it would lead to major reform movements and such spiritual developments as the desert Fathers, the Reformation. Emperor Constantine's conversion made the Church a powerful force in politics and society and the Establishment. Of course, Jesus Himself appointed Apostles and sent out people's to preach the Gospel.

Structures and positions in institutions are concomitant with growth. Perhaps inevitably also with the appointments come rivalries, disagreements, jealousies, opportunists, careerists thus the whole gamut of human characteristics appear. From the very beginning human weaknesses and traits surface. Peter denied Jesus, the disciples fled and Judas Iscariot betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver. It was Judas who was replaced, the others not.

As ever there are at least two approaches to the story of Judas, to the stories of all betrayers. I think of Burgess and MacLean with their admiration for Russia and Communism yet their betrayal of their Country...villains or heroes? What of Assange today, to many a traitor to others a hero of freedom and democracy. I think of persons considered National or Religious heroes yet also terrorists, subverters, traitors. 

Judas's betrayal lead to the phrase  '30 pieces of silver'  as a way of describing someone selling out their loyalty, even the words 'a Judas' has such connotations.  Judas himself despaired of his betrayal and Jesus said it would be better if he had not been born. Yet in the Ethiopian Coptic Church he is a Saint, for without his betrayal Jesus would not have died to redeem the world. 

Looking to the beam in my own eye I see betrayal. Betrayal of trust, betrayal of friendship, betrayal of myself, of principle and beliefs. They may be minor or even unnoticed but surely we all have our own standards of behaviour? Is not a lie a betrayal of the truth? Is not an unkind word the betrayal of a social principle? Is not gossip a betrayal of decency? Yet perhaps a lie prevents a hurt, an unkind word might be a necessary wake up call for someone, gossip might be a social cement and an inclusive embrace. 

How do we judge? How do we mark out our own lives and standards? Is failure inevitable, failure to live up to the  principles one sets and in which one believes, to live up to the law of love? Maybe. But it is a betrayal beyond redemption if failure does not lead to trying again and again to succeed. Such a betrayal also applies to the failure to forgive again and again. Betrayal is redeemable so long as redemption is sought: the Copts have it right.

As Jesus noted He came to call sinners not the righteous.