Is Your Heart Betraying Christ?

Betrayal and Love: The Heart's True Allegiance

In the Epistle, St. John emphasizes the imperative of loving one another, contrasting the actions of Cain, who murdered his brother, with the selfless love that should define believers. He warns that hatred equates to murder in the heart and calls for love to be demonstrated through actions and truth, not merely words. This passage challenges believers to examine the authenticity of their love for others as a reflection of their relationship with God.

In the Gospel, we witness the unfolding of Judas Iscariot's betrayal. Despite being one of the twelve disciples, Judas conspires to hand Jesus over to the chief priests. During the Last Supper, Jesus predicts His betrayal, and later, in the Garden of Gethsemane, He experiences deep anguish while His closest disciples fail to keep watch with Him. This narrative highlights the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the human struggle to remain faithful under pressure.

Together, these passages prompt reflection on the condition of our hearts: Are we aligned with the sacrificial love exemplified by Christ, or do we harbor tendencies that lead to betrayal and unfaithfulness?