04 April. Wednesday of Holy Week

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Isaiah 50:4ff. The Suffering Servant, who trusts in God’s final redemption

Matthew 26:14ff. Christ knows that Judas Iscariot will betray him, yet lets him share in the Passover Meal; at least in the first part of it.

What to make of Spy Wednesday?

Today, the last day of Lent, is popularly called Spy Wednesday, in memory of the bleak story of the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, one of his own chose inner circle of Twelve. This man was doubtless talented, probably very astute, and of an idealistic temperament; and yet he proved treacherous, unreliable, profoundly untrustworthy. The Gospels offer some little clues that may suggest the gradual steps that led the misguided Apostle towards that ultimate act of treachery: selling Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. We might even feel a twinge of pity for Judas, about whom Jesus spoke those chilling words, “It would have been better for that man not to have been born!”

Rather than spend time today analysing the level Judas’ guilt, or trying to figure out his mixed motivations, it might be more fruitful to examine ways in which we ourselves are untrustworthy and in need of a radical grace of repentance. The story of Judas is a sobering lesson for us all. “There but for the grace of God go I!” we may well say.

It is also a special day to pray for all those who have tragically taken their own lives, in the depths of their despair; and to pray for grace, compassion and friendship for any who are tempted to suicide. We could show some practical solidarity with the Samaritans who offer counselling to people in deep trouble, and even invest more of our time in being good listeners, where people can find help in time of trouble. On the example of Jesus, each of us could ask the Lord God to “give me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word.”

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9

The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens – wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.

The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty? All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25

Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man must go as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”

 

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