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March 29, 2026In the Shakespearean classic, Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare narrated the betrayal of Julius Caesar by his best friend Marcus Brutus. In that tragic play, Brutus was tricked into joining a team of conspirators who wanted to kill Julius Caesar. On the fateful day of Caesar’s assassination at the Capitol, he was stabbed at the back by his murderers but the stab by Brutus came as a very big shock to him. He felt betrayed by a friend and was disposed to be defeated. Shocked at the betrayal by his friend, Brutus, Caesar died with these words on his lips: “Et tu Brute?”, which mean “and you Brutus?” or “even you, Brutus?”
You may have had experiences of betrayal by a trusted friend. A friend betrayed your love or betrayed you in a business plan or in school or at work. Or you have suffered betrayal on account of your openness or charity or trust reposed on people. These are usually very painful and traumatic experiences. In light of these experiences, we can better understand the agony Jesus went through in today’s passion narrative (Mt. 26:14-27:66 or 27:11-54). Judas, one of the closest friends of Jesus conspired with the Chief priests to hand Jesus over to them at the cost of thirty pieces of silver.
As we begin Holy Week, the 1st reading (Is. 50:4-7) gives us a message of hope that God will not put his children, who trust in him, to shame. So, do not feel disappointed in God for allowing you pass through betrayals and backstabbing. As bad as these experiences were, St. Peter tells us to rejoice when we share in Christ’s suffering because we shall shout for joy when his glory is revealed (1 Pet 4:13). Christ, though betrayed, suffered, died, and buried, was not put to shame because God raised him on the third day. Do not lose hope but remain steadfast in faith, fervent in prayer and faithful in good work.