Betrayal - More Seeds of Hope for Lent

Today’s story seed is Betrayal. From Gospel of John chapter 13, verse 21 Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” She didn’t go to college. When she finished high school, she began to work full time at the diner. She was a hard worker and good with people. She got the nickname, “Smiley.” One of the regulars took a special interest in her. He began to ask her questions about goals, her hopes, her dreams. She didn’t reveal a whole lot, mostly because she wasn’t sure what she wanted in life. One thing was for sure, though; she appreciated the large tips he left her. Even though he was about 10 years older than her, one day he said, “Smiley, you work all day at this greasy spoon. Would you let me take you out to a real restaurant?” She laughed in his face. “An old man like you—taking out a sweet young thing like me—I don’t think that is going to happen.” “Suit yourself. I just think you deserve to be pampered a bit.” That day he left a $5 tip for a $10 meal. Over the next month, he asked her to the movies, to a car race, to the ballet, to the comedy club, but it was the picnic to the beach that got her to say “yes.” Even though the ocean was a mere three hours away from their town, she had only been there once. On her day off, they made the trip. He was a perfect gentleman. He had made sandwiches and brought soft drinks. They sat on a blanket in the sand under a rented umbrella. It was picture perfect. They started dating regularly and became romantic. Six months later she agreed to marry him. Three weeks before that wedding, she saw him walking with another girl, someone even younger than her. She followed them. They were holding hands. They paused under a streetlight and began to kiss. She came out of the shadows quietly. Her voice quivering, she said, “It’s over.” Later, she said some more choice words. She was left with the feeling that she could never love again. Gradually, though, she recognized that she was never really comfortable with him. She became grateful for that moment when she found him with another girl. That betrayal became her freedom. What happened after that? Well, she met a certain plumber who was rather rough around the edges, but it didn’t take long to realize he had a heart of gold. This is one of those stories that you wouldn’t wish on anybody. Nobody wants to get engaged only to find out that your intended is cheating on you. That’s a heartbreak that will stick with a person for the rest of his or her life. Betrayal sears a wound deep inside of us. Jesus experienced it. In today’s gospel he knows it is coming. Soon it will be sealed with a kiss as Judas identifies him to the authorities. Betrayal is part of the story. Perhaps it is a necessary element, and maybe not just for Jesus’ story, but yours and mine as well. Can you identify one of these wounds of betrayal deep inside of you? If you can, it may be possible for you to continue with the story. Unite with Jesus. His pain and your pain can be carried together. That’s a relationship you can trust. Now let’s take 30 seconds to water the seed… How have you been betrayed?