What betrays us?

     The daily lesson is from Mark 14:12 and tells the story of judas and Jesus identifying Judas as the betrayer. What a complicated piece of work and very confusing. If judas was the known betrayer why didn't someone stop him? 
      Something's in our life just can't be stopped even though we know that they are leading us in a path we would rather not go. I am not talking about fatalism here but a sense of knowing that the Way almost always involves a cross of some sort. when we speak the truth that people do not want to hear it involves paying the consequences for that decision. It may mean the loss of a job, the conflict in a marriage or the loss of a good friendship. All of those are startling consequences and they all involve painful losses. The only way we have the courage to speak in the name of the Gospel is that we know the rest of the story.  There is life beyond the loss. The job that was sucking the life out of us gives way to an understanding of who and what God is truly calling us towards. Truth speaking in relationship adds a new intimacy- maybe after a few months with a good therapist! But it is a gift for which we are willing to pay the price. After destruction comes the new life we've waited for. The loss of a friendship, intimate relationship almost always gives way to personal and spiritual insight if we are willing to allow God to help us through.