HAS RAISED HIS HEEL AGAINST ME

At 13,13-26; Ps 88; Jn 13,16-20
26 APRIL

The reference is clearly to the Psalm. To physical pain, to the body suffering, the tribulation of the spirit and of the heart are added. Who betrays Jesus is not a stranger. He is not even an acquaintance of his or a friend of his. Instead, it is one of his Apostles. It is one that Jesus called and constituted to be his heart in the world.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David. How blessed is he who considers the helpless; The Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble.  The Lord will protect him and keep him alive, And he shall be called blessed upon the earth; And do not give him over to the desire of his enemies.  The Lord will sustain him upon his sickbed; In his illness, You restore him to health.  As for me, I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.” My enemies speak evil against me, “When will he die, and his name perish?” And when he comes to see me, he speaks falsehood; His heart gathers wickedness to itself; When he goes outside, he tells it.  All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they devise my hurt, saying,  “A wicked thing is poured out upon him, That when he lies down, he will not rise up again.”  Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me. But You, O Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up, That I may repay them. By this I know that You are pleased with me, Because my enemy does not shout in triumph over me.  As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And You set me in Your presence forever.  Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, From everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen. (Ps 41 (40) 1-14).
The historical reference is clearly to Achitòfel, who from the adviser of David, is made also adviser of his son Assalonne, suggesting him the war moves to kill his father.

Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel to say, “When you hear the sound of the horn, declare Absalom king in Hebron.” Two hundred men had accompanied Absalom from Jerusalem. They had been invited and went in good faith, knowing nothing of the plan. Absalom also sent to Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, an invitation to come from his town, Giloh, for the sacrifices he was about to offer. So the conspiracy gained strength, and the people with Absalom increased in numbers (2Sam 15,7-12). Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Offer your counsel on what we should do.” Ahithophel replied to Absalom: “Have relations with your father’s concubines, whom he left behind to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears how odious you have made yourself to your father, all your partisans will take courage.” So a tent was pitched on the roof for Absalom, and he visited his father’s concubines in view of all Israel. Now the counsel given by Ahithophel at that time was as though one had sought divine revelation. Such was all his counsel both to David and to Absalom. Ahithophel went on to say to Absalom: “Please let me choose twelve thousand men, and be off in pursuit of David tonight. If I come upon him when he is weary and discouraged, I shall cause him panic. When all the people with him flee, I shall strike down the king alone. Then I can bring back the rest of the people to you, as a bride returns to her husband. It is the death of only one man you are seeking; then all the people will be at peace.” This plan was agreeable to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel. Then Absalom said, “Now call Hushai the Archite also; let us hear what he too has to say.” When Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom said to him: “This is what Ahithophel proposed. Shall we follow his proposal? If not, speak up.” When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not acted upon, he saddled his ass and departed, going to his home in his own city. Then, having left orders concerning his family, he hanged himself. And so he died and was buried in his father’s tomb (2Sam 16,20-17,6.23).

Judas betrays his Master, delivering him to his enemies, to those who want to get rid of him. His end was the same as Achitòfel’s. He hanged himself from a tree.

Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the scripture might be fulfilled, ‘The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.’ From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

The pain of Christ is perfect in the soul, in the spirit and in the body. No man, either yesterday, or today, or might ever say to Christ: “You have not proved this pain”. Every sorrow, every suffering, all the sin of the world has beat down on Jesus the Lord.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints make us true friends of Christ Jesus.