IMAGINE

‘Imagine’, recalls one of John Lennon’s popular songs. One may not necessarily agree with all the ideas suggested in the lyrics of this song. But, dreaming and imagining are the artist’s two important tools to produce a work of art. Asking ‘what if?’ such and such a thing did not happen, or it took a different trend or way, the decision taken, might ultimately lead, to heaven … or to hell.

Why ‘heaven and hell’?  Let us suppose, let us imagine that in the Gospel narrative we had to find a particular chapter, which does NOT actually exist, about Judas Iscariot. What, if we suppose, that after Judas gave the kiss of betrayal to Jesus, as a sign to the soldiers, something extraordinary happened. And rember, this, is not recorded in the Gospel, simply, because it did not happen.

But, let’s imagine that, there and then, Judas realized what he had done; that he had committed a heinous crime, by selling the Messiah, his friend, the Master who had trusted him, even with the ‘cash box’. And let us imagine that Judas opened his eyes and heart. He compares his actions to the gentleness, compassion, kindness and love which his Master had always shown towards him. He realizes that Jesus had always trusted him and now, he had the senseless courage to betray Him.

Just imagine Judas throwing himself down in front of his Master, crying, he embraces and kisses the master’s feet. Then in a sobbing, hoarse voice cries out: “Lord, forgive me I have offended Thee, forgive me, forgive me, I have betrayed you. Please Lord, have mercy on me.”

Suspense is created, everyone holds his breath, just like the knocking at the gate in Macbeth. How will Christ react? Will He reproach Judas? Will the Christ ignore him? All eyes are fixed on Jesus and Judas at His feet. You could hear a pin fall in the moonlit Garden of Gethsemani. But the climax is finally reached.

Imagine Jesus bowing down, takes hold of Judas shoulders, and with great love and gentleness, like holding a baby, helps him stand up to face Him.

Then Jesus embraces Judas and, reciprocates Judas’ kiss. But Christ’s kiss was a kiss of love. Yet, this did not happen, and THIS IS THE TRAGEDY. Not because it is not recorded in the Gospel, but because it did not happen. We are just imagining, what if things had developed that way? We might have had by now a St.Judas Iscariot. But we are just imagining.

In the poem we used to study as children I recall the opening words of ‘The Sea’. They run like this:                                                                                                                                   “Splashing, dashing ,restless sea, Never still you seem to be “.                                   And that is how the grace of God works, it never ‘seems’ to be still, it IS never still. Like the ocean waves always on the move, washing anything on the beach; sand, rocks, pebbles. It revives and makes everything clean and fresh.

Who knows how many times Judas fought against the incoming tide of God’s grace, even when he was seated close to his Master during the ‘Last Supper’ when he was given the ‘sop’.  The ‘sop’ was a morsel dipped in the sauce of herbs and given by the host to a favourite person at the table, a sort of compliment. That must have been, not simply a wave, but a tidal wave, a tsunami … but unfortunately Judas never co-operated, he stood firm.

His mind was set. He must have already felt an outsider, even though he was amongst friends, during that last supper. He must have been so tense, very nervous and agitated, his thoughts must have been simply on the mission he had to accomplish; the betrayal of Jesus.

No wonder St.John tells us that Judas hurried out of the Upper Room and was swallowed up by the darkness of the night. But, it’s no use imagining, wishing things were different. No, facts are facts, it’s no use stretching your imagination. God’s mercy, love and forgiveness keep coming up like the ocean waves, lapping on the beach, till the end of times, but we have to accept them and wash ourselves clean.