Holy Wednesday

"The Wednesday of Holy Week is known as both Holy Wednesday and Spy Wednesday, as this was the day that Judas made arrangements to betray Jesus. Some churches offer a Tenebrae service on Spy Wednesday. The word “tenebrae” comes from the Latin word meaning “shadows” or “darkness.”

Luke 22:47
While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Look at the use of dark and light in the painting below.  Consider any movement in the painting.  How would you describe the mood of the piece?

Judas betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of silver; he trades a spiritual reward for an economic reward. We often live in the reality of the physical world and fail to see the spiritual realties around us.  In what ways have we ourselves betrayed Jesus - traded him for things we can see and touch?  How do we excuse such betrayals?

Lord have mercy on us.  Christ have mercy on us. 

The Betrayal of Christ, Caravaggio 1573 – 1610, oil on canvas