Catholics/Judas/Betrayal

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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 3/20/2010


Question
I never quite understood why it was necessary for the Sanhedrin to employ Judas. Jesus must surely have been one of the most well known figures in Jerusalem. Indeed most of Jerusalem probably saw him on Palm Sunday.Also his numerous public appearances;teaching in the temple,feeding the 5000 etc.would make him widely known. I don't see why it was necessary to have him identified before being arrested. Any thoughts?

Answer
Hi, Russell:
Thanks for the question.
I personally don't recall ever coming accross any in-depth explanation of this matter; but I am suspecting Judas was employed mostly for the fact that he would know Jesus and the Apostles whereabouts on a particular evening.  And, being dark, those looking for Jesus could not see him well, in contrast with the Apostles with him.  The Roman guards that came to seize Jesus probably did not really know what he looked like, and so it was necessary for somebody who knew him well to point him out to the guards so that they did not take the wrong man, as I suspect it would have been possible for one of the Apostles to claim to be Jesus, and allow himself to be taken away instead.  So Judas was a factor for positive identification.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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Fr. Timothy Johnson

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A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

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