Although today’s gospel doesn’t say so explicitly, Jesus’ night in prayer does seem to have been in service of selecting his twelve apostles. That he seems to have made a poor choice in choosing Judas Iscariot can be both comforting and disconcerting. Comforting because for us discerning the Father’s will and choosing the best course of action can sometimes be extremely difficult—despite fervent prayer. However, it is also disconcerting because we typically don’t associate making mistakes and wrong choices with Jesus the Son of God. Perhaps though we shouldn’t judge Judas solely by the outcome of his life and the choices he made. Jesus may well have seen the great potential in him and in calling him afforded him the opportunity to realize that potential while respecting his freedom to do otherwise. Another reminder, perhaps, that God’s foreknowledge does not impinge on our freedom or dictate what we will do and what choices we will make—foreknowledge of our actions is dictated by what we will do rather than our actions being dictated by foreknowledge.
Kathleen Mitchell says
Wow, I think this may be so esoteric that I do not fully understand aspects of your conclusions. I was thinking that you would conclude that Judas was chosen because the father knew all things, and according to a plan he chose. Was that part of your inference here? Thank you.
Kathleen Mitchell says
Hello Sir,
Please forgive if my comment is a duplicate- I simply cannot view the comment I posted, so concerned that it did not show up at all. My thought was, I may not have understood your conclusion as perhaps it was so esoteric. I wondered if we cannot question Our Lord choosing Judas as it must have been that God the father planned that in advance? Or, that would be why Judas was chosen at all. Would you agree? Thank you.