“Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.”

The readings of today draw us into a deeply human and uncomfortable reality: the mystery of betrayal, suffering, and the limits of our judgment. In the Gospel, Judas stands before us, not merely as a villain, but as a tragic figure caught between grace and failure. His act of betrayal is real and grave, and yet the words of Jesus, “woe to that man” are not an invitation for us to condemn, but a warning that sin carries consequences that wound both the soul and the community. It is easy to point fingers at Judas. His name has become almost synonymous with betrayal. Yet the Church, in her wisdom, has never definitively declared his eternal fate. This silence is important. It reminds us that judgment belongs to God alone. While we clearly see Judas’ sin, we do not see the full depth of his heart, his struggle, or his final encounter with God’s mercy. In fact, Scripture shows us a crucial moment often overlooked: Judas repents in his own way. He returns the thirty pieces of silver, acknowledging, “I have sinned.” This act reveals that even in his breakdown, there was a flicker of remorse, a recognition of wrongdoing. Here lies a powerful lesson for us. We are often quick to declare who is “good” or “bad,” who is “saved” or “lost.” We speak confidently about saints in heaven, but we hesitate or perhaps presume, when it comes to those we think are condemned. Today’s reflection challenges that tendency. It calls us to humility. If Judas, who walked with Christ, could fall, then none of us stands above weakness. And if Judas could feel remorse, then none of us is beyond the reach of grace. The first reading from Isaiah presents the Suffering Servant, one who endures rejection, insult, and violence, yet remains steadfast in trust in God. This servant is fulfilled in Christ, who faces betrayal not with vengeance but with surrender to the Father’s will. Even in the face of Judas’ betrayal, Jesus offers himself freely. His mission is not to condemn, but to save. Therefore, this day becomes less about Judas and more about us. Where do we stand? Each of the disciples asked, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” That question must echo in our own hearts. In the small and hidden ways, we betray Christ, through sin, indifference, or failure to love, we too participate in this story. Yet, unlike despair, the Gospel offers us hope. The tragedy of Judas is not only his betrayal, but that he did not fully trust in the mercy of Christ. This is where we are invited to choose differently. No matter how far we have strayed, the mercy of God remains open to us. The Psalm today cries out, “Lord, in your great love, answer me.” This is the prayer of every sinner who dares to return. As we journey deeper into Holy Week, let us resist the temptation to judge others’ destinies. Instead, let us turn inward, recognize our need for mercy, and respond to Christ’s invitation. God alone is the judge of hearts, and His justice is always united with mercy. Today is a call, not to condemn but to return, to trust, and to believe that no one is beyond the saving love of God.