Spy Wednesday, also known as Holy Wednesday, recalls the day when Judas Iscariot conspired to betray Jesus to the religious leaders for thirty pieces of silver. The term “spy” reflects Judas’s secretive actions as he plotted against Jesus, making him a figurative spy among the disciples.
St. Luke’s Gospel of the Passion, read on Spy Wednesday (according to the 1962 Traditional Latin Mass Missal), details various instances of the wondrous mercy of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
When Judas, “one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near to Jesus, to kiss him”, rather than show anger or resistance to being arrested, Our Lord Jesus Christ responded:
“Judas, dost thou betray the Son of man with a kiss?” (Luke: 22:48)
Jesus’ meek response, framed in the form of a question, serves to beckon to that unfaithful and wretched disciple, as if to give him one more chance of repentance. Unfortunately, as we all know, Judas did not reciprocate his God’s offer of mercy but rejected the call to conversion and persisted in his treason.
Moreover, when one of his disciples “struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear”, Jesus “touched his ear” and “healed” the servant whose master was to condemn Him eventually. Despite knowing fully what his enemies’ motives were, Jesus still sought to heal the wounded servant, once again showcasing his unrelenting compassion towards sinners.
Another moving illustration of the merciful Heart of Jesus can be found in Jesus’ reaction to Peter when the latter denied his God and Master.
“And the Lord turning, looked on Peter.” (Luke 22:60)
Explaining the power of devotion to the Most Holy Face of Jesus Christ in exhorting sinners to contrition and conversion, TAN Direction beautifully put it:
“The effect of our Saviour’s look upon the Apostle St. Peter furnishes an example of the virtue of the Holy Face in touching souls. The sight of that sorrowful Face, the light of those sad, tender eyes, that gaze of gentle reproach, compassion and love pierced the Apostle’s heart and filled him with shame and repentance.”
Furthermore, notwithstanding the extreme agony and ignominy of carrying His cross to the place of Crucifixion, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in his compassion and selflessness, comforted the weeping women of Jerusalem:
“Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me; but weep for yourselves, and for your children.” (Luke 23:28)
Arguably, the zenith of Jesus’ mercy for his murderers can be seen in the first of the seven last words He uttered on the cross:
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
What happened next was the famous instance of how the good thief, Dismas, was “canonized” before his death, by our merciful Savior Himself with the moving words:
“Amen, I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
While readers may assert that Dismas was indeed a “thief to the very end of his life”, having “stolen heaven away”, the highlight of this part of St. Luke’s Gospel is undeniably the infinite mercy of Jesus once more, who never ceases to seek out sinners, however hardened in sin they may be.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
A Good Friday Poem
What was His crime
That left him sorrowful and sweaty
Shrouded in darkness and in grime
Alone, afraid and in agony
What was His crime
That caused him to pray and weep
Face bathed in blood, tears and slime
While Peter, James and John went off to sleep
What was His crime
That saw him taken prisoner
Accused and buffeted by enemies
A lamb led to the slaughter
What was His crime
As a carpenter and preacher
That caused Judas to drop a dime
On Him — for thirty pieces of silver
What was His crime
When witnesses treated His trial
Derisively as they would a pantomime
And hurled on His face abuses and bile
What was His crime
That He was brutally scourged
Before that dolorous climb
Upon His shoulders — a cross was perched
What was His crime
Did He lie, kill or pillage
During His entire lifetime
That incited so much rage
What was His crime
By coming down from above
To die on the Cross — out of love sublime
Yes, that was His crime — a crime of infinite love!
