About Today
Tuesday 31 March 2026
Tuesday of Holy Week
Christ the Lord was tempted and suffered for us. Come, let us adore him.
Year: A(II). Psalm week: 2. Liturgical Colour: Violet.
Today's gospel reading
John 13:21-33, 36-38
While at supper with his disciples, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and declared, ‘I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, wondering which he meant. The disciple Jesus loved, was reclining next to Jesus; Simon Peter signed to him and said, ‘Asked who it is he means’ , so leaning back on Jesus’ breast he said , 'Who is it, Lord?’ ‘It is the one’ replied Jesus ‘to whom I will give the piece of bread that I shall dip in the dish.’ He dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. At that instant, after Judas had taken the bread, Satan entered him. Jesus then said, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’ None of the others at the table understood the reason he said this. Since Judas had charge of the common fund, some of them thought Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the festival’, or telling him to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the piece of bread, he went out. Night had fallen.
When he had gone out, Jesus said,
‘Now has the Son of Man been glorified. And in him God has been glorified, If God has been glorified in him, God will in turn glorify him in himself, and will glorify him very soon.
My little children, I shall not be with you much longer. You will look for me, and, as I told the Jews, where I am going, you cannot come.’
Simon Peter said, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus replied, ‘Where I am going you cannot follow me now; you will follow me later.’ Peter said to him, ‘ Why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ Lay down your life for me?’ answered Jesus, ‘I tell you most solemnly, before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.’
Reflection on the illuminated manuscript page
Today’s passage from the Gospel of John follows directly after Jesus has washed the feet of his disciples. He kneels before each of them without exception... even before Judas Iscariot. In that simple act, Jesus reveals a love that makes no distinctions. He serves them all, loving them all to the very end, including the one who would betray Him. In the scene that follows, our reading today, the Gospel describes another quiet gesture of closeness. At table, Jesus takes a small piece of bread, dips it into the dish, and hands it to Judas. In the culture of the time, such a gesture from the host was a sign of particular honour and friendship.
Yet this final act of kindness is not received as it is intended. As soon as Judas takes the morsel, he leaves the room and steps out into the darkness of the night. The evangelist suggests something deeply moving here: the love of Jesus for Judas was never in doubt. What remains tragic is Judas’ unwillingness to accept that love. Love cannot be forced though. Love can only be offered. Even so, the story does not end in despair. Jesus speaks of glory at that very moment, because even the darkest human actions cannot ultimately frustrate God’s purpose. The love of God continues to work even through human rejection, weakness and failure. Even when we stray into darkness, the light of God’s love does not go out... it always continues to shine.
Our page from a German illuminated manuscript, circa 1400-1410, depicts our gospel reading on the bottom left. We see Christ seated at table with his disciples during the Last Supper. At the centre of the action, Jesus extends his hand to give a small morsel of bread to Judas Iscariot. Judas is depicted kneeling before Christ, which at first glance might seem like a posture of devotion or humility. His hands are held together in what appears to be a prayerful gesture, which could easily be mistaken for reverence. Yet the artist ads a small detail: from Judas’ mouth a small devil emerges. This vivid illustration expresses visually what the Gospel text conveys: that Judas’ outward gesture does not reflect the inner state of his heart. The devil leaving his mouth symbolises the evil intention that has already taken hold within him.
The Last Supper: Jesus handing Judas a morsel ofBread (left illustration) and Jesus washing the feetof the Disciples (illustration on the right),Unknown artist/maker, Brother Philipp (German),Executed about 1400–1410
Tuesday of Holy Week
Christ the Lord was tempted and suffered for us. Come, let us adore him.
Year: A(II). Psalm week: 2. Liturgical Colour: Violet.
Today's gospel reading
John 13:21-33, 36-38
While at supper with his disciples, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and declared, ‘I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, wondering which he meant. The disciple Jesus loved, was reclining next to Jesus; Simon Peter signed to him and said, ‘Asked who it is he means’ , so leaning back on Jesus’ breast he said , 'Who is it, Lord?’ ‘It is the one’ replied Jesus ‘to whom I will give the piece of bread that I shall dip in the dish.’ He dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. At that instant, after Judas had taken the bread, Satan entered him. Jesus then said, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’ None of the others at the table understood the reason he said this. Since Judas had charge of the common fund, some of them thought Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the festival’, or telling him to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the piece of bread, he went out. Night had fallen.
When he had gone out, Jesus said,
‘Now has the Son of Man been glorified. And in him God has been glorified, If God has been glorified in him, God will in turn glorify him in himself, and will glorify him very soon.
My little children, I shall not be with you much longer. You will look for me, and, as I told the Jews, where I am going, you cannot come.’
Simon Peter said, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus replied, ‘Where I am going you cannot follow me now; you will follow me later.’ Peter said to him, ‘ Why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ Lay down your life for me?’ answered Jesus, ‘I tell you most solemnly, before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.’
Reflection on the illuminated manuscript page
Today’s passage from the Gospel of John follows directly after Jesus has washed the feet of his disciples. He kneels before each of them without exception... even before Judas Iscariot. In that simple act, Jesus reveals a love that makes no distinctions. He serves them all, loving them all to the very end, including the one who would betray Him. In the scene that follows, our reading today, the Gospel describes another quiet gesture of closeness. At table, Jesus takes a small piece of bread, dips it into the dish, and hands it to Judas. In the culture of the time, such a gesture from the host was a sign of particular honour and friendship.
Yet this final act of kindness is not received as it is intended. As soon as Judas takes the morsel, he leaves the room and steps out into the darkness of the night. The evangelist suggests something deeply moving here: the love of Jesus for Judas was never in doubt. What remains tragic is Judas’ unwillingness to accept that love. Love cannot be forced though. Love can only be offered. Even so, the story does not end in despair. Jesus speaks of glory at that very moment, because even the darkest human actions cannot ultimately frustrate God’s purpose. The love of God continues to work even through human rejection, weakness and failure. Even when we stray into darkness, the light of God’s love does not go out... it always continues to shine.
Our page from a German illuminated manuscript, circa 1400-1410, depicts our gospel reading on the bottom left. We see Christ seated at table with his disciples during the Last Supper. At the centre of the action, Jesus extends his hand to give a small morsel of bread to Judas Iscariot. Judas is depicted kneeling before Christ, which at first glance might seem like a posture of devotion or humility. His hands are held together in what appears to be a prayerful gesture, which could easily be mistaken for reverence. Yet the artist ads a small detail: from Judas’ mouth a small devil emerges. This vivid illustration expresses visually what the Gospel text conveys: that Judas’ outward gesture does not reflect the inner state of his heart. The devil leaving his mouth symbolises the evil intention that has already taken hold within him.
The Last Supper: Jesus handing Judas a morsel ofBread (left illustration) and Jesus washing the feetof the Disciples (illustration on the right),Unknown artist/maker, Brother Philipp (German),Executed about 1400–1410