The evangelist Luke accounts for the absence of Judas from the Twelve Apostles by simply saying he went his own way. This manages to be both delicate and to the point. Sinatra’s “My Way” aside, choosing to go one’s own way has deep resonance in the Scriptures, and it has none of the swagger of the Chairman of the Board. It’s first and most consequential point of reference has to do with separating ourselves from the Source of our life. From Adam and Eve, through Judas and the rest of human history, this has never been a good thing.
For us, it’s always a question, then, of daily efforts aided by grace to remain deeply connected to Christ. That means praying with the community, of course, but it also means carefully attending to the needs of those with whom we share our lives. In this way, each of us can imitate the example of the Twelve by our witness to the Risen Christ.