麻豆约拍

Betrayal

Good Morning. 鈥極n This Day鈥�, the 15th of March 44BC, Julius Caesar was struck down by a group of Senators, among them his trusted friend Brutus. As he dies Shakespeare memorably has him gasp鈥� 鈥淓t tu Brute?鈥�.鈥漎ou too, Brutus!鈥� -- words which, true or fictional, poignantly express the dismay and disbelief of anyone who believes they鈥檝e been stabbed in the back by friend or colleague. Betrayal hurts. Trust hard won can be shattered in an instant- - a reality Northern Ireland鈥檚 political parties face constantly in their dealings with one another and with Government. Betrayal inflicts wounds so deep they may never fully heal, as those know who have experienced betrayal within the family.聽

And best intentions can be frustrated by the unexpected. When Caesar falls, Shakespeare has a conspirator shout 鈥淟iberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!鈥澛� But can we be so sure? The Arab Spring suffers wintry blasts; the jury鈥檚 still out on Afghanistan and Iraq; and 鈥� to say the least - we聽 hold our breath over the Crimea and Ukraine. High hopes can be 鈥榖etrayed鈥� by the 鈥榯urn of events鈥�.

So if we struggle this morning with personal betrayal or existential despair perhaps the example of Jesus can help us through.

Lord Judas betrayed you with a kiss,聽 you kept him Peter had denied knowing you,聽 your disciples deserted you; and when on the Cross you felt utterly god-forsaken you breathed a prayer we too can pray in such moments: Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. AMEN