Jelly Fungus

                A couple of months ago, as I gathered limbs before mowing, I noticed twigs with curious-looking appendages on them. I snapped some photos and then began researching. 

Twig with jelly fungi on it and Black Panther, our
black tom cat, barely got his legs in the photo

               I knew it was a type of fungus. My searching revealed this “jelly” fungus could be found on living and dead trees.
This unusual example of fungi is sought out for its medicinal purposes in other parts of the world. Patients find it beneficial in treating cancer. Others extol it as a blood thinner. Even though Western medicine has not embraced it, other cultures look to the Auricularia auricula-judae for its properties useful in lowering cholesterol.

                The common name of this peculiar fungus is Judas’s ear. This stems from the tradition that Judas Iscariot hanged himself on an elder tree, but his body fell to the ground. Tradition also proports the elder tree sports the only remains of the betrayer, Judas Iscariot – his ear. The elder tree characteristically hosts jelly fungi more than other trees.

Close-up of the Jelly Fungi, that was named
Judas" ear

                Steering away from tradition, let’s look at scripture. Jesus chose Judas Iscariot, along with the other eleven disciples, to experience life with Him, learning daily from the words and observing the actions of the Son of God. We know Judas Iscariot appeared to be the most trusted by the twelve since he served as their treasurer.  John succinctly noted this in John 12:6 with this phrase, “having charge of the moneybag.”

                Each time Judas Iscariot is mentioned an underlying theme of greed rears up in his words and actions. Almost every situation recorded about Judas centers around money. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, “…You cannot serve God and money.” Money is much like water and fire. It can be used for tremendous good. Yet money controlling a person is as destructive as the uncontrolled water of a raging flood or rampant flames of a wildfire.

Judas Iscariot criticizes Mary of Bethany harshly when she anointed Jesus lavishly with expensive perfume just days before His crucifixion. He suggests piously this indulgent woman should have sold the exorbitantly priced oil and donated the proceeds to the poor. John comments on Judas Iscariot calling him a thief who cared nothing for the poor but in my vernacular “dipped frequently into the till.” Jesus reprimands Judas for his criticism of Mary saying, “Leave her alone…”

                Immediately following Judas Iscariot’s censure of Mary of Bethany, the Gospel writers, Matthew and Mark, record Judas Iscariot’s negotiation with the chief priests for his betrayal of Jesus. These words from Matthew 26:16 put Judas on a doomed trajectory against the Son of God and Savior of the World. The one who would forever have his name linked to the ultimate act of betrayal had chosen as his final mission in life the betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. (Some say the amount was equivalent to around a half-year's wage.)

                All four Gospels describe the shadowy, nighttime moment of betrayal in the garden. Only Matthew and Luke, the writer of Acts, mention the remorse of Judas Iscariot resulting in his suicide by hanging. The unforgivable sin of Judas was not his suicide but having a remorseful heart instead of repentant one. Remorse according to Merriam-Webster is a gnawing distress arising from a sense of guilt. But repentance is the action of turning from one’s sin to Jesus. Remorse involves only one’s emotions. Whereas, repentance is an act of one’s will that redirect his life.

                I’m not sure how often you see jelly fungus but maybe a future sighting of it will serve as a reminder of Judas Iscariot, what he loved, and his end. In our own lives, let’s embrace remorse momentarily then immediately repent knowing only it will bring forgiveness and peace.