The Judas tree (Cercis Siliquastrum) is actually a beautiful tree when in bloom. There are two varieties, one with white flowers and the other with dark purple-pink flowers. It has gained its colloquial name from the myth that this is the species of tree that Judas hung himself from after betraying Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, resulting in the tree’s flowers turning from white to crimson red.(This is possibly a linguistic misunderstanding from the translation of the French “l’abre de Judee” meaning tree of Judea, referring to the land where it is most common.)
The tree has flowers that look very similar to pea flowers and after pollination the fruit of the tree is hard woody pods that hang vertically – resembling Judas hanging from the tree.
As we start Holy Week, we remember the events leading up to Good Friday, with Jesus identifying Judas as the one who would betray him to the authorities as they share in the Last Supper, and then Judas for a few coins does so with a kiss.
Whether it was a Cercis Siliquastrum tree that became the gallows for Judas or not is not important. However, we can learn from this myth.
We have several of these trees in our garden, both the white and the red varieties, and they are really beautiful when in bloom. However, they do look somewhat sinister with these clusters of pods – which do not appear to self-seed.
Do we sometimes meet people who appear “beautiful” but underneath they may want to “betray us”? Or, do we sometimes do the exact opposite of what God intends for us, betraying him by our words and our actions?
Prayer: Forgiving Lord, as Judas regretted his betrayal of you, we also regret our words and actions, and seek your forgiveness. Thank you that we can know your forgiveness through your sacrificial love for all humankind. Amen