Caput LVIII. De Christi traditione.
The Betrayal and Seizure of the Lord
The crowd led by Judas seizes and binds the Lord, and the soul cries out in anguish at the sight.
But look — now a crowd of the wicked follows close behind the one who goes ahead as betrayer, and with Judas offering the kiss, they lay hands on your Lord, they seize him, they bind him, and they fasten those sweet hands with chains.✦✦ Who could bear it?
Compassion and Holy Zeal
The heart is filled with compassion and burning zeal, leading to a plea that Christ himself be the one to suffer on our behalf.
I know — compassion fills your heart now, and zeal sets every part of you on fire. Let him suffer, I beg you — the one who suffers for you.
The Sword, the Ear, and the Restoring Power of Christ
The soul is questioned about its impulse to violence, then consoled by Christ's power to restore whatever is cut off and to raise the dead.
Why reach for a sword?✦ Why are you angry? Why are you indignant? If you cut off an ear, as Peter did, if you take off an arm with a blade, if you maim a foot, he himself will restore everything — and even if you kill someone, beyond all doubt he will raise them up.✦✦✦
Read the original Latin
Sed ecce jam proditorem praeeuntem impiorum turba subsequitur, et osculum praebente Juda, manus injiciunt in Dominum tuum, tenent, ligant, et illas dulces manus vinculis astringunt. Quis ferat? Scio, occupat nunc cor tuum pietas, omnia viscera tua zelus inflammat. Sine, rogo, patiatur qui pro te patitur. Quid optas gladium? Quid irasceris? Quid indignaris? Si instar Petri cujuslibet aurem abscideris, si ferro brachium tuleris, si pedem truncaveris, ipse restituet omnia; qui etiam si quem occideris, absque dubio suscitabit.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Matt.26.47-Matt.26.50 — And while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Matt.26.48 — Now the one who was betraying him gave them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is he; seize him." Matt.26.49 — And immediately he came to Jesus and said, 'Greetings, Rabbi!' And he kissed him. Matt.26.50 — But Jesus said to him, 'Friend, for what purpose are you here?' Then they came forward, laid hands on Jesus, and arrested him.
- ↩Matt.26.50 — But Jesus said to him, 'Friend, for what purpose are you here?' Then they came forward, laid hands on Jesus, and arrested him.
- ↩Matt.26.51-Matt.26.52 — And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Matt.26.52 — Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back in its place, for all who take up the sword will perish by the sword."
- ↩Matt.26.51-Matt.26.52 — And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Matt.26.52 — Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back in its place, for all who take up the sword will perish by the sword."
- ↩Luke.22.51 — But Jesus answered, 'Enough of this!' And he touched the man's ear and healed him.
- ↩John.11.25 — Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live."
De institutione inclusarum (A Rule of Life for a Recluse) companion
A rule only lives if you keep it daily
Chosen Portion gives your new rule its anchor: one free devotional portion every day.
Aelred built his sister's day around fixed times of prayer and meditation; Chosen Portion supplies the fixed daily portion that makes a modern rule of life keepable.
- Anchor your rule with a fixed 10-minute daily portion
- Practice Aelred's threefold meditation with guided daily prompts
- Review and adjust your one-page rule after 30 days of tracked practice