REFLECTION FOR WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

SPY WEDNESDAY

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9
Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 68(69):8-10,21-22,31,33-34
Gospel Reading: Matthew 26:14-25
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Traditionally, today, Wednesday of Holy Week is known as “Spy Wednesday”. This is so because before Jesus celebrated the Passover, a “spy” went out to betray him. This action by Judas earned him the title of “spy” by the medieval Christians, in accord with the traditional definition of the English word, “one who keeps secret watch on a person or thing to obtain information.” Therefore, from Wednesday onward, Judas secretly watched for a chance to turn Jesus over to the chief priests, since he had already been paid thirty silver pieces by the chief priests. This deep and abominable act of betrayal opens up today’s Gospel Reading (cf. Matthew 26:14-25). Interestingly, the synoptic gospels all include an account of the betrayal —Mark 14:10-12, Matthew 26:12-14, Luke 22:3-6.

Even in the face of betrayal, Jesus did not cease to do his Father’s will in accepting death freely for our salvation. Needless to say that he freely accepted death because in doing so he carries out his vocation and mission – the salvation of souls. In freely accepting death, even in the face of betrayal, Jesus fulfills the prophecy of the third song (poem) of the suffering Servant which we see in today’s First Reading (cf. Is. 50:4-9). Here, the work and tenacious faith of the Servant of God is described. God has given the Servant a disciple’s tongue to teach and encourage the people. God has given the servant an ear to hear God and to hear the people. While the Servant experiences violent opposition, he made no resistance, neither did he turn away. He offered his back to those who struck him, his cheeks to those who tore at his beard; he did not cover his face against insult and spittle, he was fully confident that he will triumph over his adversaries. In the face of all these, Jesus becomes the model of servant leadership. In fact, subsequently, at the table, Jesus will perform a servant’s act by washing the feet of his disciples. As a result, we see in Christ’s whole life, an act of service and offering to the Father.

Dear friends in Christ, it is unfortunate that the spirit of the ‘spying Judas’ is still alive in our world, today. As Judas seized the opportunity to seek his selfish gain by betraying his Master to death; we are hereby called to put away the ‘spying spirit of Judas’. And for those who have been ‘betrayed’ (marginalized) and suffering already in this critical time, may you learn to call upon the Lord with confidence like today’s Psalmist [Psalm 68(69):8-10,21-22,31,33-34]: “In your great love, O Lord, answer my prayers for your favour.”

Shalom!
© Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ
Paroquia Nossa Senhora de Fatima, Vila Sabrina, São Paulo, Brazil
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com

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Chinaka Justin Mbaeri

A staunch Roman Catholic and an Apologist of the Christian faith. More about him here.

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Lawrence Okonofua
Lawrence Okonofua
1 year ago

We also ask forgiveness of those we may have betrayed by our inaction or action.
More particularly do we pray for grace to root out of ourselves the Judas Iscariot lying dormat in our hearts!!?

Chinwe Ann
Chinwe Ann
1 year ago

“In your great love, O Lord, answer my prayers for your favour.”
Give me the grace to forgive all those that have betrayed me in one way or the other, and also grant those I ve betrayed the grace to also forgive me. This I ask through Christ our Lord Amen

Onwuakpa Okwuchukwu Veronica
Onwuakpa Okwuchukwu Veronica
1 year ago

God in great mercy forgive me for the countless number of times I have betrayed You, those times I paid back Your great love with sin am truly sorry and I pray for the grace not to ever betray You again. Amen

Omamogho Jesuobor Anastasia
Omamogho Jesuobor Anastasia
1 year ago

Lord have mercy on us all. Hear and answer our prayers. For their hidden tendencies yet to revealed in our life. Help us with the perfect knowledge of sin so we may come to u for mercy and that u forgive us but grant that we may be broken and truly sorry for our sins done against u and against others

Akujieze Mary-Ann
Akujieze Mary-Ann
1 year ago

Amen

Priscilla Ugbir
Priscilla Ugbir
1 year ago

I pray forgiveness in whichever way I have wrong and betrayed anyone, Amen

Stella Ogbakpah
Stella Ogbakpah
1 year ago

My lord Jesus Christ, in this your passion week of betray and death, forgive us all our sin and answer our prayers. Amen.

Bridget ighodalo
Bridget ighodalo
1 year ago

O Lord hear our prayers and forgive us our sins Amen

Mabelmary
Mabelmary
1 year ago

Have mercy on us oh lord…

Igbenije Patience
Igbenije Patience
1 year ago

Amen

Leticia Otomewo
Leticia Otomewo
1 year ago

May the blessings of the Holy Week be upon me and my family, Amen!

Dorothy Abaver
Dorothy Abaver
1 year ago

Amen

Nwaogu
Nwaogu
1 year ago

In your great love answer us Lord

Nneka
Nneka
1 year ago

May God have mercy on us.

OIasnaburekhalSen Faith.
OIasnaburekhalSen Faith.
6 months ago

Thanks be to God. I asked for God s forgiveness for those I betrayed by action or words that the good Lord have mercy on me and those that asked for mercy I JN.

Adamartina
Adamartina
6 months ago

Amen

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