It is ”spy” Wednesday today, when we reflect on the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. But who also betrayed Jesus? Peter denied, Thomas doubted, James and John vied for seats of power in heaven, all fled our Blessed Lord, and hid when He needed them most. This is why we must pray for all our religious leaders, who are human like the rest if us, like the first bishops. Their crosses are heavy. May God bless them with courage and strength in a world that holds them to such standards only met by the saints in heaven.

May our persecuted priests, deacons, and bishops be steadfast in their faith, and understand that faith, like a rope, is tested through tension.

The public scandal of Judas would not be the last, but promised to be the first of many, because the Church is filled with sinners striving for holiness, but first sinful.

A stain is most prominent in something of great beauty. This is why the Church and her leadership are persecuted greatly for all forms of misdeeds. Whereas, stains often don’t show at all, unless they’re very large, in the secular, unclean world, where sinful behavior is oftentimes paraded as good.

God love our priests and bishops.