The better part
Judas was known to be a thief.
Jesus put Judas in charge of the money bag.
What was Jesus thinking?
A bruised reed he shall not break,
and a smoldering wick he shall not quench…
A good and loving guide lights the way home. Jesus wanted Judas to focus on the one thing necessary, the better part (cf., Lk 10:41-42).
In the gospel today, Jesus understands time is running out. His enemies — who want to kill him — are closing in.
It’s six days before the Passover, before Jesus’ sacrifice. He travels to Bethany to dine with Lazarus, Martha and Mary. Each of these siblings encountered Jesus in a powerful way, and they all witness to Jesus’ life-changing love. Lazarus, who was resuscitated by Jesus, is such a powerful witness that he becomes a target of Jesus’ enemies too. Martha responds through service. And Mary’s generous anointing of Jesus bespeaks how deeply she has returned his love. All three put Jesus’ words into action: “as I have done for you, you should also do” (Jn 13:15).
Judas was at the dinner too, but he was blind to the witnesses before him. He could only think about money. Jesus, gently, tries to help Judas face his sin and change his focus: you will not always have me. But Judas did not have ears to hear. Worse, his heart was closed to Jesus’ words; he ends up betraying Jesus. He makes no effort to ungrasp the money bag.
Returning Jesus’ love, as Mary, Martha and Lazarus did, and following his words result in a communion with him that begins here and lasts forever. And being in communion with Jesus gives one hope in his victory and moves one to share his love: caring for the poor and establishing justice. Yes, we need material things, but “moth and decay” destroy them. The one thing necessary is abiding in Christ; he is the better part.
“The service of charity is…a constitutive element of the Church’s mission and an indispensable expression of her very being… It is important, however, to keep in mind that ‘practical activity will always be insufficient, unless it visibly expresses a love for man/woman, a love nourished by an encounter with Christ.’” Pope Benedict XVI, On the Service of Charity, 11 Nov 2012.
David Werning is Director of Social Policy Engagement at Catholic Charities USA.