To betray or not to betray that really is not the question for any of us. We have all betrayed Jesus in some manner because we have all sinned. We have chosen something else and placed it above our relationship with Jesus - this is the definition of sin, as well as the definition of betrayal!
Judas places money above Jesus and this money lust leads him to hand Jesus over to the authorities. Peter chooses his own self-interest (fear of his own punishment or death) above Jesus. If we are honest with ourselves I am sure we can come up with a quick handful of things that at various times we have preferred or chosen above Jesus. Thus we have all betrayed Jesus, so it is not a matter of betrayal but rather a matter of what will we do next!
Let's look at each of these betrayers together and then individually. First both Judas and Peter recognize their betrayal and experience guilt. Judas realizes that the money was not worth it and wants to return it. Peter experiences great guilt and sorrow for his betrayal as the cock crows and his eyes meet Jesus. He weeps in bitter sorrow. Both of the actions of these apostles show they have remorse and recognize their sin. Yet the real question for each of us is what do we then do with our remorse? Judas's grief leads him to despair and suicide, a great tragedy and unwillingness to trust in God's mercy. Peter on the other hand repents in sorrow and hopes in God's mercy.
Judas differs from Peter however in the initial desire of his heart. His first desire is for money. He has fallen far from Jesus already and drawn more to an attachement to money. Peter on the other hand has an initial desire to remain with Jesus and suffer with Him. In the Gospel for today's Mass Peter says, "Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." (John 13:37) Peter has first a deep love and longing to follow Jesus, to be a faithful disciple. He lacks only the strength to follow through on this desire.
So yes, we are all betrayers of Jesus, but we are not all doomed to the fate of Judas. We like Peter can work on cultivating the heart of a disciple. Our Lenten practices are meant to help us seek first to want to suffer and die with Jesus, or in other words, to live our lives according to His will. When we seek first to follow Jesus rather than any other worldly power, person or thing, then we know we can always come back to Jesus for mercy. Peter longing to be a faithful disciple led him to true repentance and kept him from despair. Let us heed his example and deepen our commitment of faith, become more intentional disciples and rely on the power of Jesus' mercy and love to overcome our sin and temptations. Betrayal happens, so let's respond like Peter: repent, return and be saved!