Post #5663

Judas Iscariot. Impure love that leads to the hell of despair. During the Officium Tenebrarum on Holy Wednesday evening, the Roman Church sings with sad solemnity, among others, a responsory that summarizes the tragic story of Judas Iscariot, the Traitor of Jesus: "Judas mercátor péssimus ósculo pétiit Dóminum: ille ut agnus ínnocens non negávit Judæ ósculum: Denariórum número Christum Judǽis trádidit. Mélius illi erat, si natus non fuísset” He bargained for the Blood of the Innocent and, clear of the initial repentance, put an end to his life despairing of the Lord's mercy. Thus his soul - the exact opposite of the Good Thief - descended "to his own place" (Acts chapter 1, verse 25), i.e. hell, to eternally serve "the punishment of his guilt". One of the most tragic figures of the Gospel story, a black soul.