Spy Wednesday

Holy Wednesday had also been called “Spy Wednesday”. This is in reference to today's Gospel (Mt. 26:14-25) – of Judas acting as spy of the Temple Elite, and betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. On this day, the last day, technically of Lent, we have an unlikely companion in our prayer and reflection - Judas.

It has been asked many times why Judas betrayed Jesus. After all, Judas followed Jesus for about three years. Judas was willing to dedicate three years of his life to the itinerant preaching of Jesus, and in the building of the community of the disciples. What could have led to Judas’ betrayal?

The narrative of John which we listened to yesterday gives us a window of understanding the complex inner battle that Judas was undergoing. Satan entered Judas. Then Judas left. Then it was night. Benedict XVI in his new book takes note of this. In John, what happened to Judas was beyond psychological explanation. Judas has come under the dominion of another. Anyone who breaks friendship, casting off the yoke of Jesus does not gain liberty, but succumbs to other powers. Judas betrays his friendship with Jesus because he is in the grip of another to which he has opened himself.

In Matthew, the account we listened to this morning, there is a striking detail that we should not miss. When Jesus announced that one of them will betray him, notice that all the other apostles say, "Sure it is not I, LORD?" Judas says, "Surely it is not I, RABBI?" The Gospel of Matthew here hints at something. Judas has never really understood Jesus and in the end sees him as another rabbi/teacher and not as LORD! Even when he regrets his action and tries to return the money, he speaks of "innocent blood" but there does not seem to be any greater faith.

There is a little bit of Judas in each of us. We too are often tempted to betray Christ. We do this when we choose to do wrong and refuse to do good. By sin we betray Christ. Whenever we fail to live the Christian life and we hand over our integrity, self-respect, and peace of mind, we are handing over Jesus.

As we recognize our own acts of betrayal, and as we seek forgiveness and renewal, at the deepest level we have also to ask, where are we in our faith in Jesus? Is Jesus Christ for us just a teacher, a rabbi, or is he for us truly Lord and Savior? If we see him as merely a teacher and rabbi, then we make him just one of the choices. We can choose to follow him or not to follow him. But if we accept him as our Lord and Savior, we are recognizing him as not just one choice among many. Rather, we recognize that he is the only choice – in words of the book of Revelation and in the signs of the Easter Candle, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. When we put ourselves under Jesus Lordship, his dominion, no other power can overcome us. As St. Paul says, “We can overcome all things in Christ who strengthens us.” But from Jesus, we are nothing. Everything we do and are makes sense and has meaning only in faith and fidelity to Jesus.

As we go journey through Holy Wednesday, let us call to mind own acts of betrayal, and as we seek forgiveness and renewal, at the deepest level, let us ask, where are we in our faith in Jesus? Is Jesus Christ for us just a teacher, a rabbi, or is he for us truly Lord and Savior?