Rehabilitating Judas: Is this the Vatican Version of a Stephen King Novel?

God help us. 

The photo above appeared on the front page of the Vatican newspaper on Holy Thursday of all days. Who is that dead body Jesus is cradling in his arms like a lover? 

Holy Thursday Meditation in Art

Leonardo Da Vinci

Fra Angelico 

Our Lover Comes; How Will You Receive Him?

In 2010 I posted this article by a dear priest, Fr. Robert Lange, who went to his eternal reward in 2015. On this Holy Thursday, I think it is worth repeating. I will be praying for Father at the service this evening. I hope you will too. 

And did you know that The Law of the Church is Communion on the Tongue? Receiving in the hand is an indult, an exception to the law, that was given to the bishops of the United States because of widespread disobedience by the flock, disobedience that many of the bishops encouraged. Sad, isn't it, the damage done by false shepherds acting more like the hireling? May we all pray and fast for our bishops and clergy that they will be able to say with Christ, "Zeal for your house consumes me." (Psalm 69:9, John 2:17)

Respect For Christ In The Eucharist – One Priest’s Perspective

[The picture above is of my home in Fort Valley, Virginia, and the light is coming from my chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved. There is not light in the window and there is no sun out on the day of the picture.]

by Rev. Robert Lange

Holy Thursday: The Mass of the Lord's Supper

The Last Supper - Natalia Tsarkova (2002)

This artwork appeared in the Holy Week Magnificat. What struck me especially is that Jesus sits alone with the beloved Apostle, the only one who will be at the foot of the cross. All the others are on the opposite side of the table. It seems a foreshadowing of their abandonment of the Lord. The moment captured is the instant after Jesus tells them one of them will betray them. Peter raises his hand in horror declaring his intention to die with Jesus if necessary. Judas in his red cape reminds me of a cartoon devil. All he needs are horns and a pitchfork. The others, in various states of shock, can almost be heard asking, "Is it I, Lord?" And Jesus looks back at us with almost a mournful gaze. "Will you betray me too?" he seems to ask. I think of all the times I have betrayed the Lord and cry out, "Please, Lord, give me the grace never to betray you again."