Abandonment, Part 2 of 6

Meditations on the way to Palm Sunday

Jesus was abandoned by Judas and betrayed with a kiss.

I wonder. What kind of kiss was it?

A perfunctory, almost apologetic peck on the cheek, signaling Judas’ timidity or ambivalence?

A passionate, forceful crush of lips on lips, expressing Judas’ long brewing, yet unspoken disappointment, even resentment toward Jesus, perhaps because of his passive, non-violent confrontations with repressive political and religious authorities?

A bloodless, eyes-wide-open kiss on the forehead, demonstrating Judas’ disdain for Jesus as a mere object of personal gain?

Whatever the motive, Judas betrayed Jesus a kiss; a supreme gesture of intimacy and fealty.

I wonder. To draw near to another with whom one has been close and, with an ostensibly loving gesture, a kiss, or with a seemingly generous, loving word, “It’s not you, it’s me”, ending the relationship.

Has such a thing ever been done to any of us or by any of us?

I would guess, yes.

To be continued…

© 2023 PRA

Illustration: The Arrest of Christ (Kiss of Judas) (c. 1304-1306), Giotto Di Bondone (1267-1337)