Abbot Columba McCann: After such a long and moving gospel account, I will simply share one idea.
We may often think we know the meaning of what the Bible says, but sometimes the real meaning can be surprising and liberating.
When Jesus speaks of Judas, the one who betrays him, he says ‘Alas for him’ or ‘Woe to him’ and goes on to say, ‘It would be better for him if he were not born.’
It can sound like a word of condemnation, suggesting that Judas is going to get what is coming to him in retribution for his betrayal. But one day a scripture scholar opened my eyes to what Jesus was really saying.
In the language of his own time and place, Jesus’ words ‘Alas for him’ or ‘Woe to him’ meant, ‘I’m really sorry for him, he’s in a dreadful situation.’
What about the words ‘better for him if he had not been born’? Does the Bible itself give us any clue as to what this might be about? These are the words of Job, in the book of Job, the story of a man who goes through intense suffering. In his pain, Job cries out, ‘Better if I had not been born!’ Jesus is commenting on the sufferings of Judas.
It seems that Jesus is really saying something like this: ‘I feel so, so sorry for this man. He is suffering terribly’. No condemnation. Words of compassion about the one who betrays him. This is the kind of Messiah we acclaim waving our palm branches…