As God incarnate, he could have defied death. He chose not to. In that fleeting moment, he assured me and millions such as I, of eternal life in His Resurrection, the day now marked Easter Sunday, which we just celebrated.

Was Judas destined to betray Jesus? Are human beings prisoners of a God-ordained, steel-jacketed destiny? At every stage of His trials, by Caesar’s regent and the devil himself, Jesus made it clear that Man always had the free will to do what his conscience dictated. Judas chose not to do so. Many who rape nuns, kill priests and persecute us also chose not to. It seems difficult, but the days of the Holy Week tell us to use our free will, and forgive, as Jesus did those who nailed him to the wood.