Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/706

 to lay  a finger  on  any  of  those  men  who,  after  their  Master’s  death, were destined  to  spread  His  doctrine  over  the  face  of  the  earth. They did not  even  venture  to  touch  Peter,  or  take  vengeance  on  him  for attacking and  wounding  Malchus. Was not  this  a wonderful  thing? Our Blessed  Lord  manifested  His  Divinity  3. by His  miracle,  which instantaneously cured  the  wounded  Malchus;  4. by calling  God  His Father, who  was  ready  at  His  request  to  send  legions  of  angels  to  His aid; and  5. in the  proof  afforded  of  His  Omniscience  by  the  way  in which  His  disciples,  through  their  cowardice  and  flight,  fulfilled  that which He  had  foretold  of  them:  “All  you  shall  be  scandalized  in  Me this  night,  for  it  is  written:  I will  strike  the  shepherd,  and  the  sheep of the  flock  shall  be  dispersed.’’

1. His Goodness  to  Judas  was  also  divine.  He  did  not  refuse  his treacherous kiss:  He  suffered  His  sacred  Face  to  be  touched  by  the lips of  this  vile  traitor,  and  He  even  called  him:  “Friend!”  “I  have always treated  you  as  My  friend”,  He  meant  to  imply,  “why  therefore do you  come  now  at  the  head  of  My  enemies,  and  betray  Me  to  them by a kiss!”  This  loving  treatment  on  the  part  of  our  Lord  was  to  the ungrateful traitor  a last  hour  of  grace. Jesus gave  him  to  understand that He  still  loved  him  in  spite  of  his  vile  crime,  and  was  ready  to forgive  him  even  now,  if  he  would  repent;  but  Judas  resisted  this  last grace, and  remained  hardened  and  unmoved.

2. His Goodness  to  the  eleven  Apostles.  Full  of  loving  care  for  them, though willing  Himself  to  be  taken  captive  and  led  away  to  death,  He desired  to  assure  freedom  and  life  to  His  disciples. His enemies  might rage against  Himself,  but  they  must  not  lay  a finger  on  those  whom He loved,  and  it  was  only  on  this  condition  that  He  gave  Himself  into their hands. Oh, how  loving  is  the  Heart  of  Jesus!

3. His Goodness  to  Malchus.  He  exercised  His  Omnipotence  and healed Malchus,  who,  like  his  master,  Caiphas,  was  one  of  our  Lord’s bitterest enemies,  and  who  had  pressed  forward  so  as  to  be  the  first to seize  Him. Jesus has  taught  us  not  only  by  His  word,  but  by  His example, that  we  are  to  return  good  for  evil,  and  to  love  even  our enemies.

The voluntary  and  vicarious  Sufferings  of  our  Lord  Jesus.  Jesus gave Himself  up  to  His  enemies,  of  His  own  will. He went  to  meet them, encouraged  them  to  seize  Him,  and  offered  His  Hands  to  be bound. He gave  up  His  liberty,  to  atone  to  God  for  our  abuse  of  the liberty He  has  given  us. He gave  Himself  up  as  a prisoner,  to  save us from  the  everlasting  prison  of  hell. He let  Himself  be  bound,  that we might  be  delivered  from  the  bonds  of  sin  and  Satan.

The malice, ingratitude  and  depravity  of  Judas.  Our  Blessed  Lord had loaded  this  man  with  benefits  and  graces. He had  chosen  him  to be  an  apostle;  He  had  let  him  witness  His  miracles  and  the  holiness of His  life; He  had  imparted  to  him  His  divine  doctrine; He  had  borne