Spy Wednesday - Tenebrae Celebration

What

Spy Wednesday - Tenebrae Celebration

When

4/5/2023

On Wednesday before Easter we remember Judas betraying the high priest when Jesus would be in a place where he could be more conveniently arrested, in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. It is traditionally called Spy Wednesday, because of Judas' sneakiness.

At home, read the parts of the Gospels that tell the story, in Matthew: "Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him to you?" And they paid him 30 pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him" (26: 14-16). And in Luke: "Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the Twelve; he went away and conferred with the Chief priests and captains how he might betry him to them. And they were glad, and engaged to give him money. So he agreed, and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of the multitude" (22:3-6).

Now, hide 30 pieces of silver (quarters) in one area of your home and the kids can find it. It is interesting to watch our own kids turn into Judas as they search for the coins.

Once all of the coins have been found, talk about it. Talk about how dangerous greed can be, how easy it is to make bad decisions where money and power are concerned. It is too easy just to write Judas off as a 'bad guy'. Judas knew Jesus. He had been with him for three years, listening to him talk, watching him pray, seeing him perform countless miracles. It is reasonable to think Judas "believed" in Jesus but had come to expect that he would rise up and overthrow the Roman occupiers of Jerusalem. After all, God had given this land to the Jews, but now they were subject to pagan rulers.

Judas' betrayal shows a grievous lack of both trust and humility, for him to think that he knew better than God.

Jesus foretells Judas' betrayal at the Last Supper and even tells him to get on with it (JN 12:21-30). Jesus, as God, could see that Judas' free decision had been made. Judas could have chosen differently.

(Source: The Catholic All Year Compendium by Kendra Tierney)