Wednesday of Holy Week
(Isaiah 50:4-91; Matthew 26:14-25)
Today is often called “Spy Wednesday” presumably because the mass’s gospel reading tells of Judas “look(ing) for an opportunity to hand (Jesus) over.” It is an especially egregious act. The gospel mentions that Judas is paid thirty pieces of silver for his betrayal. This may sound like a lot, but one exegete remarks that it is a paltry sum. Rather than think of Judas as greedy, it may be more accurate to understand him as malicious. John’s gospel obliquely conveys this idea when it remarks immediately after Judas leaves the supper chamber, “And it was night.”
Although the crime of Peter’s denial is sometimes compared to Judas’ betrayal, it actually differs from it as much as a cold differs from a cancer. Peter is under duress when he says that he does not know Jesus where Judas willingly goes to the chief priests seeking to him over. Still we should see our susceptibility to both crimes. We might deny Jesus, the truth, by lying when threatened by loss of power, prestige, or money. It also may be possible that we betray Jesus by distorting the truth to enhance our fame or fortune. In either case we pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to avoid wrong-doing.
