Spy Wednesday
The Wednesday of Holy Week is called Spy Wednesday because on this day Judas made a bargain to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
Judas was one of Jesus’ very special friends – one of the Twelve Apostles. He, like many of Jesus’ friends and followers, had come with Him from Bethany to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Judas had seen the huge crowds welcome Jesus to the great and holy city. Judas had also noticed how jealous and annoyed the religious leaders – the high priests – were. He had seen them talking and plotting in the crowds on Palm Sunday. Three days later (on what we now call Spy Wednesday) Judas went to the high priests and said that he would tell them where and when they could easily capture Jesus. They agreed to pay him thirty pieces of silver for his help. This was a great amount of money to a poor man in those days.
On Spy Wednesday traditionally Christians all over the world gave ‘alms’ to make up for Judas’ sneakiness and betrayal. This means that they gave money to the poor and ill. In Ireland at Easter we think especially about the people in the Third World who need our generosity and prayers. At Easter we bring our Trócaire boxes to the church or we send our donations directly to Trócaire.
