Today is traditionally known as Spy Wednesday, a solemn day that marks the betrayal of Jesus by one of His closest disciples, Judas Iscariot. The name “Spy Wednesday” comes from the secret and treacherous act of Judas, who acted like a spy among the disciples. He went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:1-6).

This day concludes the official Lenten period and leads us into the Easter Triduum the most sacred time in the Church’s liturgical year.

WHAT HAPPENED ON HOLY WEDNESDAY?
Two major events are traditionally remembered on this day:

  • The Anointing at Bethany: Jesus was anointed by a woman (possibly Mary of Bethany) with a costly perfume made of spikenard. While some disciples, especially Judas, criticized the gesture as wasteful, Jesus praised it as an act of love that prepared Him for His burial (Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9).
  • The Betrayal by Judas: Moved by greed, disillusionment, or resentment, Judas secretly met with the chief priests and agreed to betray Jesus. This decision sets in motion the events of Christ’s Passion.

Spy Wednesday brings into sharp contrast two human responses to Jesus devotion and betrayal. The loving act of the woman who anointed Jesus is a striking foil to Judas’s cold-hearted treachery.

A DAY FOR INTERIOR REFLECTION
Spy Wednesday is also sometimes called Silent Wednesday in some traditions, reflecting the quiet tension before the storm of the Passion. It’s a moment to pause, reflect, and prepare spiritually for what is to come. It asks us to examine our own hearts:

  • Are we like the woman at Bethany, offering our love with abandon?
  • Or are there parts of us, like Judas, that turn away from Christ?

This day invites each of us to choose faithfulness over compromise, love over self-interest, and trust over despair.

WHY IT MATTERS
Spy Wednesday reminds us not only of Judas’s betrayal but of the daily choices each of us must make between faithfulness and infidelity, love and selfishness, truth and compromise. Judas didn’t fall overnight. His betrayal was the result of a slow drift perhaps resentment, disillusionment, or greed. That drift is a warning to every disciple. The tragedy of Judas is not only that he betrayed Jesus, but that he lost hope of mercy. After realizing his mistake, he returned the money but instead of seeking forgiveness, he succumbed to despair. In contrast, Peter also denied Jesus but repented and was restored.

Spy Wednesday invites us to examine our own hearts. Have we allowed bitterness, pride, or weariness to distance us from Christ? Have we quietly compromised our faith in moments of fear, convenience, or ambition? Have we believed the lie that our sins are too great for God’s mercy?

A TIME TO PREPARE THE HEART
As the Church moves toward the Triduum Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil Spy Wednesday offers us a spiritual mirror. It tells us:

Don’t be afraid to face your failings.
Don’t let sin harden your heart.
Don’t stay in the shadows.

Christ still invites us to the table, even as He invited Judas. He still offers love, still washes feet, still pours Himself out. Spy Wednesday is not just a story about Judas. It is a story about the choices that lead us closer to God or away from Him.

THE EASTER PASCHAL TRIDUUM
With the close of Spy Wednesday, we enter the Easter Triduum, meaning “Three Days” in Latin. It is the heart of the liturgical year, commemorating the Paschal Mystery the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ.
Here’s a brief overview of these sacred days:

Holy Thursday: We celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, remembering the institution of the Eucharist, the priesthood, and Jesus’ act of humble service in washing the feet of His disciples.

Good Friday: A day of deep mourning, when we recall Jesus’ crucifixion and death. There is no Mass, but the Liturgy of the Passion is observed, which includes the veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion.

Holy Saturday: A day of quiet waiting and prayer, marking Christ’s time in the tomb. The evening is crowned with the Easter Vigil, the most important and beautiful liturgy of the year, celebrating Christ’s Resurrection and the gift of new life.

These three days are not separate events, but one continuous liturgical celebration. Together, they form the climax of our faith, inviting us into the mystery of salvation with renewed hearts.

A FINAL WORD
Spy Wednesday calls us to silence, awareness, and repentance. It helps us see the difference one choice can make between loyalty and betrayal, between love and indifference. As we approach the Holy Triduum, may our hearts be drawn closer to Jesus, who chose love even in the face of betrayal.

Let us do whatever we can to center our lives and focus our attention on the Lord, growing stronger in our connection with Him.

Wishing you a blessed, safe, and grace-filled Holy Triduum. Amen. 🙏
Love always ❤️