The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
The Gospel account of Jesus' betrayal and arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane is a pivotal moment in salvation history, a stark display of human frailty juxtaposed with divine resolve. As John's Gospel recounts, Jesus, having shared the Last Supper with his disciples, led them across the Kidron Valley to a familiar garden, a place often frequented for prayer and fellowship. Tragically, this sanctuary became the stage for betrayal as Judas, one of his own chosen twelve, arrived with a detachment of soldiers and temple guards, their lanterns and torches piercing the night. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 607) highlights that "at the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood ," setting the immediate context for the events that followed. In this tense encounter, Jesus, fully aware of the impending suffering, steps forward with a profound dignity and control. His simple question, "Wh...