Read Online
He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of
Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges,
that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean,
and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him. Mark 3:16–19
Though Jesus called many disciples, He chose Twelve, representing
the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and entrusted them with a unique
mission. He named them Apostles, meaning “one who is sent” or
“messenger,” and gave them His authority as the first bishops of
His Church. Among them was the betrayer, Judas Iscariot. Did Jesus
make a mistake when He called Judas to be an Apostle? Certainly
not. Jesus’ actions were perfect in every way and fully in accord
with the Father’s will. Why did He pick Judas, even though He knew
he would betray Him?
Saint Thomas Aquinas teaches that Jesus possessed the Beatific
Vision and infused knowledge from the moment of His conception
(Summa Theologiae, III.9.2&3). Therefore, He
comprehended all things with God’s eternal knowledge, including the
future role each Apostle would play. When He chose Judas Iscariot,
He knew the path Judas would take, yet He called him anyway.
An important theological principle to understand is that God’s
foreknowledge of our future does not interfere with our free will.
Some philosophers have argued that God’s foreknowledge means the
path we walk is predetermined and cannot change. While it is true
that what God knows will not change, it is also true that His
knowledge does not force or determine what we freely choose. God’s
knowledge simply transcends and encompasses all time.
When pondering the sorrowful betrayal of one of Jesus’ intimate
friends, there are important lessons we can learn from this
permissive act of evil. God permits evil because He permits good.
If He were to prohibit evil—an act of free will—He would be
prohibiting the use of free will itself, thwarting our ability to
freely love. This reveals the incredible gift that God has given
us: the ability to love or not. This gift is essential to who we
are, enabling us to share in God’s abundant and overflowing love
and mercy, freely bestowed and freely received.
God’s permissive will also reflects the mysterious relationship
between Divine Providence and human action. God, Who is
All-Powerful, can bring good even out of the gravest sins. This is
not a credit to us but to God’s might. In the case of Judas, God
used his betrayal to set in motion the very act of redemption. The
same is true in our lives.
When we experience betrayal, or betray another, God is able to
bring good out of that act. If we are guilty of betrayal and fail
to repent, God’s justice will prevail, and we will be condemned.
Though our sins against others are damaging, God can use even our
sins for good in their lives. He can foster mercy and forgiveness
in others’ hearts and unite them more fully with Himself, Who was
betrayed.
When another sins against us, the impulse to judge and condemn is a
common temptation. Yet, the lesson we must learn from Judas is
recorded beautifully by Saint Paul: “We know that all things work
for good for those who love God, who are called according to his
purpose” (Romans 8:28). Even injustice and sins committed against
us are not reasons for despair but for hope—hope in the sinner’s
repentance and hope that God will transform evil into good for
those who love Him and unite themselves with Jesus’ betrayal by
Judas.
Reflect today on God’s almighty power to work all things for good
in your life, even sin. Though the sinner who refuses to repent
will experience the fullness of God’s justice, profound good can
come from our repentance and from imitating Jesus, Who endured
cruel betrayal. Trust in His power and allow Him to bring good out
of evil in your life. Doing so not only lifts the heavy burden of
anger, it also infuses God’s perfect charity into any and
everything we encounter or endure in life.
My triumphant Lord, You were cruelly treated by one of Your
closest companions, yet in Your almighty power You transformed that
evil, bringing from it the greatest good ever known—our redemption.
Please give me the grace to repent when I sin, and when I am sinned
against, help me to unite that injustice to the betrayal You
endured so that Your grace will triumph. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: NateBergin, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.com
Copyright 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used
with permission via RSS feed.
Kommentare (0)
Melde dich an, um einen Kommentar zu schreiben.