Some of you grew up hearing the term “Spy Wednesday.” Some of us didn’t. But, whether we’re familiar with this name or not, we are hearing about the events that lead to what will take place on Good Friday.
One key event was the betrayal of Jesus by one of His own disciples, Judas Iscariot. Judas went to the chief priests and asked, “What will you give me if I deliver him to you?”
If we stop and think about the beginning of that question, “What will you give me…?" we see the temptation of every one of us; to want something, something of material value or something like power that we do not deserve.
Judas was willing to throw away a friendship with Jesus and the other disciples, and even more importantly, the path to eternal life with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for a nominal amount of money.
It’s often hard for us to fathom Judas’ action, his sell-out, and his weakness. But, if we’re honest with ourselves, in other ways, we have given into temptation for short-term gain, for things that we didn’t deserve, or that go against God’s teaching.
Today is called Spy Wednesday because after Judas made the deal with the chief priests, he acted like a spy, tracking Jesus with the goal of finding the right moment to betray him a second time.
Medieval Christians coined this term for Judas as he kept secret watch of Jesus for the right moment to turn Him over to the chief priests.
This act is contrasted by the generous gesture of Jesus’ friend, Mary. The one who anointed Jesus with oil, only to be criticized by Judas for her extravagance, for neglecting the poor.
My brothers and sisters, on this Wednesday of Holy Week, we are called to keep watch of Jesus, not to betray Him but to unite ourselves with His giving His life for us; uniting ourselves to His obedience to the Father, that leads to His passion, death, and resurrection.
We are called to grow in friendship with Jesus, to be like Mary, and generously spend these days in prayer with God and keeping watch of our own hearts and minds so that they may be united to the will of God.
Our reflection question can be, “What will we give God this day?”
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