Sons of Perdition.

Chev. Thomas J. Serafin, V.V.

We can see that the disposition of Judas and his actions where a subject of much concern from the beginning. His actions, although not deliberately calamitous to Christ were still motived by satan using the same vixen as available today, money.

His betrayal of Christ appears to have been precipitated by certain obvious signs of predisposition to betrayal and damnation.

In St. John XII, 4-6., Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, he that was about to betray Him, said: Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor: but because he was a thief, and having the purse, carried the things that were put therein. At the time of the betrayal the Thirty pieces of silver, equal to about $15.30; was the price of a slave among the Jews. (Exod. xxi. 32)

In St. John XVII, 12., The son of perdition means Judas, whose loss, through his own fault, had already been decreed. ( In Psalm cviii, 8. The Holy Ghost foresaw that this would be the miserable Apostle's free choice.)

In the Gospel of St. John XIII, 27., Satan entered into him; i.e., the devil got a more complete control over Judas; there is no question here of diabolical possession.

St. Matthew XXVI, 24., It were better for him, etc. These words seem clearly to show condemnation of Judas, because these words would not be true of any of those who are finally saved. Judas appears to have left the table (of the last supper, the first Mass) at the beginning of the meal, it would appear that the traitor did not receive the Sacred Species. In a letter [CCXL (2.)] by St. Basil, To the Presbyters of Nicopolis; " Judas, who preferred death by hanging to life in disgrace, proved himself a better man than those who now meet universal condemnation without a blush."

But there are some of you that believe not; i.e., some among Our Lord's hearers believed not in His divinity, and consequently found his words hard to accept. Judas was evidently among the unbelievers. (St. John VI, 65.) What we see in this day is similar; distance from God, non-belief, and the absence of the sacraments. Today the power of satan is equally present (there may even be a sense of urgency in his efforts), he has enlisted numerous Judas' for his final conflict. His enemy, The Communion of Saints.

3. And Satan entered into Judas, who was surnamed Iscariot, one of the twelve.

4. And he went, and discoursed with the chief priests and the magistrates, how he might betray him to them.

5. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

3. Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that he was condemned, repenting himself, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and ancients,

4. Saying: I have sinned in betraying innocent blood. But they said: What is that to us?

5. And casting down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed: and went and hanged himself with an halter.

6. But the chief priests having taken the pieces of silver, said: It is not lawful to put them into the corbona, because it is the price of blood..

7. And after they had consulted together, they bought with them the potter's field, to be a burying place for strangers.

8. For this cause the field was called Haceldama, that is, The field of blood, even to this day.

In the book "Begone Satan" which chronicles an exorcism in Earling, Iowa, Judas is one demon exorcised. He acknowledged that his role in his damned existence, is to make people suicidal so they hang themselves like he did.

16. Men, brethren, the scripture must needs be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was the leader of them that apprehended Jesus.

17. Who was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

18. And he indeed hath possessed a field of the reward of iniquity, and being hanged, burst asunder in the midst: and all his bowels gushed out.

19. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: so that the same field was called in their tongue, Haceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

23. Then the soldiers, when thy had crucified him, took his garments,(and they made four parts, to every soldier a part,) and also his coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

24. They said to one to another: Let us not cut it but let us cast lots for it, whose it shall be; that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saying: They have parted my garments among them; and upon my vesture they have cast lot. And the soldiers indeed did these things.