Who knew that the Wednesday of Holy week had a name? Google, that’s who!

Wednesday is known as Spy Wednesday because on this day Judas made a bargain with the high priest to betray Jesus for 30 silver pieces (Matt 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:1-6).

If there was ever a “bad guy” in the Gospel narratives, Judas is it. He is remembered by the Gospel of John as a thief and all four Gospels tell of his betrayal. He dies in a grisly fashion. Matthew tells us that he repented of betraying Jesus and threw the money at the feet of the chief priests and elders. He then went out and hanged himself. Acts states that he fell headlong in a field and “burst open.” Dante fictionalizes Judas as occupying one of the lowest circles of hell.

What motivated Judas to betray Jesus? Was it simply money? Or was Judas disappointed in Jesus’ understanding of the Kingdom of Heaven as a movement of service, sacrifice and love? Was Judas simply disillusioned and his commitment to “the Way” was replaced with notions of power and self-interest?

We can never fully know. But we should spend some time reflecting on our own actions that mirror betrayal. We make earnest confessions of faith and commitments to follow Jesus “wherever he leads,” yet too often betray these same confessions and commitments in the marketplace, halls of politics, and other locations of power and prestige. Do we ever act upon motives that serve only the self at the expense of the neighbor or stranger? Do we proclaim or defend a faith system not shared in Jesus’ own words? Do we trust more in power and might out of our fears and anxieties than in love that involves sacrifice?

I think we know the answer to the above questions. There is a little bit of Judas in all of us. I think that is why we have him in our Gospels as one of The Twelve. Jesus, we have to believe, did not make a mistake in calling Judas to be one of the disciples. Judas is a reflection of our attempts to manipulate Jesus in order to fit our paradigms and politics. Such attempts, however, always end in disappointment. Judas could no longer stand the money or his life.

Spy Wednesday is a day to consider Judas, look in the mirror, and repent, which is to change our direction before it is too late. Friday is coming.