(A note from Emilio Pisani)
Mercy and forgiveness in the mystery of Judas
The unrepentant is not simply the sinner who does not repent, but the sinner who does not want to repent. This is my opinion, not to be taken as a dogma of faith. I matured this thought while reading the work of Maria Valtorta, who, in the plot of her story, authentically evangelical, is able to bring to life and make clearly visible the impact that the human will has on the divine will. After all, is it not a principle of Christian faith, the one of free will, which gives the possibility to choose between good and evil? (See: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1731/2)
Emblematic in this regard is the character of Judas of Kerioth. The conciseness of the four Evangelists does not help to dissolve the mystery in which he remains wrapped. The Iscariot is the apostle who betrays. John adds that he holds the chest and is a thief. Is there anything else to know? Who explains why Judas, having recognized that he had sinned, to the point of wanting to return the coins received as the price of betrayal, decides to commit suicide instead of begging for forgiveness?
The work of Maria Valtorta reveals this mystery thanks to the admirable teachings of Jesus, source of infinite mercy, that spares no gestures, words, prayers, and sacrifices to bring the apostle’s will back on the path of justice, misled by his own ego.
The betrayal of Judas, which can be considered providential in the plan of redemption, is only the last act in the disconcerting earthly life of the one who, unlike his companions, was not chosen, but imposed himself as a disciple that cannot be rejected. Between falls and repentance, which would give us hope, he does not desist from cultivating the evil passions of his sick soul. We learn all this from the Valtortian work.
«Ogni caduta ha premesse nel tempo — dice infine Gesù alla Valtorta —. Più la caduta è grave e più ha una preparazione. Gli antefatti spiegano il fatto. Non si precipita e non si sale d’improvviso. Né nel bene. Né nel male. Vi sono coefficienti lunghi e insidiosi alle discese, e pazienti e santi alle ascese. E lo sventurato dramma di Giuda può darvi tanti insegnamenti per salvarvi, e conoscere il metodo di Dio e le sue misericordie per salvare e perdonare coloro che scendono verso l’Abisso».
Mercy was ready to be transformed in forgiveness to Judas if he had not deliberately refused it.
- Il mistero di Giuda è il titolo di un volume di 720 pagine, tratto dall’opera The Gospel as Revealed to me. Lo ha pubblicato il Centro Editoriale Valtortiano: www.mariavaltortastore.com
