Dealing with Betrayal

Betrayal is part of life. Difficult to accept when experienced. Portrayed in literature in all the many cultures of the world and frequently in the Christian  Scriptures. Jesus is the telling example in the New Testament and it wasn't only Judas. This was despite his words of warning  and after each one, in turn, asked: "Surely it's not I?"
 
The Korean 'Me Too' movement has to do with a betrayal of friendship in most cases. The president of the bishops' conference apologized for this betrayal even among priests. A priest in a diocesan bulletin deals with the issue. He doesn't know how this movement will change society.
 
Of course many are not happy about the 'Me Too' movement and many support the movement with their: 'With you' response. What was buried in society has finally come out in the open? Gender inequality no longer is a hidden agenda. The movement was waiting to explode within society. Feelings against the power of money in society have always been there: resentment of the weak towards  power was bound to explode. The uncomfortableness between man the powerful one and woman the weak one comes to a head. We are in the midst of change.
 
The Church is in society and the priest is a part of society. When the clergy and religious are guilty of such behavior the outrage is great. Society is shocked. We should be thankful, says the writer that this is still the case. The public still has greater expectations from the clergy and religious.

The apostles we know lived very close to Jesus for three years. They ate with him, laughed, cried, and underwent many hardships with him but they couldn't give up their desire for power. How much more difficult in the society in which we live to feel the presence of Jesus in our lives. Judas was not able to overcome the feeling of guilt he experienced from the betrayal and killed himself.
 
Peter who denied Jesus three times a betrayal for which he repented with great sorrow and gave his life for his Lord, became a great disciple. This is an example for all of us. We are prone to make mistakes (which we hope will not happen) but when they do we don't give up.
 
We don't deny or make excuses for what was done but after great reflection, ask forgiveness from God and the person hurt. Make the necessary compensation to the victim and satisfaction for what was done and go along with our lives.
 
We can lose the cow from the barn.This can happen to anyone and for a religious person, it should be a step to a more mature life but also the need to fix the barn.