THE SOUL OF JUDAS • by Ernest Dempsey

The angel listened to the Divine Command, shuddering all over.

“My humility is my most daring answer,” said the angel. “Could I dare ask my Lord how to bear His Grace to that frame of flesh?”

God smiled, saying, “You will lose your being to me for a time until I incarnate the body of poor Judas.” Awe and humility dimmed the angel’s eyes with tears so that he was spared the trial of seeing the Divine Hand advancing towards him.

***

The Son of God was sitting among his disciples in a grove across the Kidron Valley.

“Holy Lord,” said Simon Peter. “You tell us that we now see you for the last time.”

The Son of God answered with a gentle smile and a light nod.

“And still you do not reveal how a man like Judas can get the power to betray you.” Peter was curious to know.

“He cannot betray me until he loses his soul,” said Lord Jesus.

“Lose his soul!” Peter was struck with wonder. “Will he die?”

“No,” returned Jesus, with an omniscient glow in his eyes. “He will not die but I must. This is the will of God and Judas must live to let it be so.” The disciples could understand little. The Son of God knew that and he kept smiling at their ignorance with a paternal kindness.

***

A flash of light bathed the evening in the Kidron Valley.

“He is coming to his senses,” cried one out of the group. They all looked at him as he slowly opened his eyes.

“Judas,” said a soldier. “How are you?”

“I am well,” he said, sitting up. “What happened?”

“You were leading us to the secret grove of Jesus,” answered an official. “And suddenly you fainted. We thought you nearly dead.”

“No,” said Judas, with a bright shine on his face. “I am well and I will lead you there.” He rose to walk. The group followed him.

***

The light of torches shone on the face of Jesus Christ. The Son of God saw Judas leading the soldiers and officials. His face had a bright and unusually attractive appearance. For a moment, Jesus stood still to read it. Then he stepped ahead.

“Who is it you want?” he asked them.

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” said Jesus, looking at Judas with soft eyes. There was a flash and it struck all. They drew back and fell down. The light had flashed out of Judas’ body. He was among those who fell down to the ground. When they all rose to their feet, Jesus saw that the brilliance on the traitor’s face was gone. Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered, looking at poor Judas. Judas was pale and confused, staring at the Son of God who knew how he had lost his soul, and found it.


Ernest Dempsey  is the pen name of Karim Khan. Dempsey works as a research associate in geology and is doing his Masters in English Literature. A founding member of the World Audience Inc. (New York), Dempsey is the author of three books: The Biting Age, Islands of Illusion, and The Blue Fairy and Other Stories. He writes articles, professional book reviews, essays, and poetry.


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