Matthew 26:48

“Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.’ ”

There is the language of true love and the language of false love, and these are not easily discernible. Some may come to you with a genuine expression of love while others may camouflage their treachery with the language of love and friendship. That is life. Not everyone who smiles at you is really smiling.

Behind Judas were men with swords and clubs, and yet he approached Jesus with a kiss. Can there be a greater treachery? Since we do not know who is who and what is genuine and what is not, let us accept and embrace every expression of love with simplicity and carefulness. We must not judge a fresh expression of love based on a past betrayal; neither must we foolishly let down our guards with every act of generosity. Knowing that men practice double languages and can speak in strange tongues, we need to be discerning but open-minded. Naivety is a killer when dealing with openness to acts of love. Carefulness is the watchword.

“Father, there could be a Judas around me, smiling at me but planning my downfall. I need to be careful when dealing with friends but I don’t want to become paranoid either. Help me find that balance please. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”