What If Judas Had Waited Until Easter?

Episode Summary Peter and Judas both betray Jesus—and both recognize the enormity of what they have done. But their stories move in radically different directions. An earlier story about Peter sinking beneath the waves may help explain why. Peter has learned to cry, “Lord, save me.” Judas instead takes his guilt to people who tell him, essentially, “Deal with it yourself.” What might have happened if Judas had waited until Easter—and taken his failure to the one person who could save him? References Scripture References: Matthew 14:22–33; Matthew 26:14–16, 31–35, 47–50, 56, 69–75; Matthew 27:3–5; Matthew 28:1–10; Luke 23:34; John 20:1–18, 24–29; John 21:1–19; Acts 2:14–41; Acts 4:8–12. Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2091: despair is the loss of hope for personal salvation, divine help, or forgiveness of sins. Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1846–1848 and 1864: the Gospel reveals God’s mercy to sinners; God’s mercy has no limits, but a person may refuse to accept that mercy through repentance. Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1861: although mortal sin can result in eternal loss if unrepented, judgment of persons must be entrusted to the justice and mercy of God. Benedict XVI, General Audience, “Judas Iscariot and Matthias,” October 18, 2006. Benedict notes the mystery surrounding Judas’s eternal fate and cautions that it is not our place to substitute our judgment for that of the infinitely merciful and just God. Catechism of the Catholic Church (Vatican): https://www.vatican.va/content/catechism/en.html Benedict XVI, General Audience, October 18, 2006: https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/audiences/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20061018.html Get full access to IntoDeepWater at intodeepwater.substack.com/subscribe