Betrayal is one of the most blinding sufferings we can experience — it overturns our relationships and even our worldview, until we can’t think straight and we don’t know whom to trust. After we’ve experienced a betrayal by someone we trusted, it takes a long process of discernment to re-evaluate our relationship with that person and to decide how to move forward.
Christ shares with us in all of our sufferings, and the experience of betrayal is particularly poignant in his Passion. Because of this, we can look to him for how we ought to cope with such a violation of our trust.
In the book Life of Christ, by the Venerable Fulton Sheen, we read this:
“Only one who has suffered such betrayal from within the household can even faintly grasp the sadness of the Savior’s soul that night. All the good example, counsel, companionship, and inspiration are fruitless with those who will do evil or ‘sell out’ to those who are bent on destruction.”
When a sense of betrayal overwhelms you, consider reciting this prayer:
Jesus Christ, my Friend and Savior, You who are perfectly trustworthy and loving experienced the betrayal of Your trust. But You willed to use this betrayal for the salvation of souls. In this time of suffering, I ask that You be especially near to me. Comfort me in my pain, calm my anger, and allow me the grace to hear Your voice directing my heart. Allow me to unite my suffering to Your own suffering to make reparation for sin and for the salvation of souls. As I bring my broken heart into Your presence, grant me the grace of forgiveness so that I may live always in Your freedom. I know that my own justice and mercy are imperfect, and so I ask that You grant me the grace of sharing in Your own justice and mercy so that I may move forward in this situation with wisdom and patience. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
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