Today’s Gospel begins with a summary statement: “When Judas had gone…” Four words which are so poignant. We know exactly what Judas is going to do, even though it is not spelled out for us: he goes to complete the process whereby he will betray Jesus to the authorities. The next time Jesus and Judas will meet is when Judas leads the guards sent by the chief priests and the Pharisees to the place where he knows Jesus would be. In four words, our Gospel passage reminds us of the role Judas will play in this narrative. Those same four words also prompt us to recall what has already happened in the room that Judas just left. After the meal was concluded, Jesus scandalized Peter by wanting to wash the feet of all present. In the ancient world washing the feet of another was a task for all the lowliest of slaves. That’s why Peter is so scandalized at Jesus’ behavior: his Lord wants to degrade himself totally by washing the feet of sinners. Judas was one of those whose feet were washed by Jesus. Jesus then announces that one of them will betray Him: the one to whom He will give the piece of bread that he shall dip in the cup. This has clear Eucharistic implications. When He gives Judas the piece of bread, He says: “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Judas goes out into the dark. Judas leaves the light of Christ to go into the dark of Jesus’ enemies. But Jesus has demonstrated His total love for every human being who ever did exist or ever will exist. His double outreach to Judas makes it plain that no one is excluded from Jesus’ love.
The Son of Man, who came not to condemn the world but so that through Him the world might be saved, will make His ultimate, total and infinite act of love when He is lifted up on the cross. The story does not end there, however. Jesus issues a commandment – for His disciples to love one another as He has loved us. But how can love be commanded? If love is only seen as emotional, then it cannot be commanded, but God’s love is total God’s commitment. When we love as Jesus has loved us – by total commitment to any and all children of God – we make God’s love visible. We show ourselves to be Jesus’ representatives on earth – His disciples.