About Holy #Wednesday
On the solemn observance of the Wednesday of Holy Week, known traditionally among the devout as Spy Wednesday, we are called to delve into the profound narrative that unfolds on this day—a narrative rich with betrayal, contemplation, and redemption. Let us endeavor to illuminate these events with a depth and reverence befitting their sacredness, drawing from the wisdom of the early Church Fathers and the Gospels themselves.
The Council of Betrayal
On this day, the Sanhedrin—comprised of chief priests, elders, and scribes, predominantly Sadducees—convened under the heavy air of conspiracy. Led by the high priest Caiaphas, this assembly, numbering seventy-two, was united in their clandestine purpose: to ensnare and ultimately extinguish the Light of the World, our Lord Jesus Christ. This council, named "Siniha Drayum" in their deliberation, represents the epitome of worldly power blinded by its own arrogance and fear, failing to see the divine truth before them.
The Fragrance of Repentance
In stark contrast to the council’s dark designs, we witness the luminous act of a penitent woman in the house of Simon the Leper (often called Simeon Zelemz). In an outpouring of repentance and adoration, she anoints Jesus with costly perfume, a deed that transcends the mere act—it is a fragrant offering of her entire being unto the Lord. This moment is not just a literal anointing but a spiritual preparation of Christ for His impending Passion and burial.
The Betrayal by Judas
Amid these poignant scenes unfolds the tragic subplot of Judas Iscariot. Despite having been a recipient of Christ’s teachings and miracles, sharing in the blessed bread, and even having his feet washed by Jesus in a display of divine humility, Judas succumbs to the siren call of mammon. For thirty pieces of silver, a sum emblematic of utter contempt in its meagerness, he agrees to betray the Savior. His tragic decision is a harrowing reminder of the perils of avarice, as the love of money ensnares him into a web from which there is no earthly return.
Theological Reflections and Exhortations
Let us consider the gravity of these events. The act of betrayal by Judas is not merely a historical recount; it is a mirror reflecting the potential fall of every soul that dares to value temporal gain over eternal wealth. As the Scripture warns, "What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" (Matthew 16:26). This rhetorical question pierces the conscience, urging a contemplation of one's own fidelity to Christ.
Those who wear the mantle of Christianity must not only shun the example of Judas in avoiding the idolatry of riches but also actively engage in the emulation of the penitent woman. Her act of pouring perfume on Jesus is a metaphor for our own called vocation: to pour out our lives in service and worship, not counting the cost.
As we proceed through the solemnities of this Holy Week, may we do so with a spirit both of reflection and of renewal. May we, like the woman with the alabaster jar, break open our hearts and pour out our love lavishly upon our Lord, who so loved the world that He gave Himself up for it. Let us pray that we are fortified against the corrosive lure of wealth and remain ever mindful of our ultimate calling—to be heirs of an eternal kingdom, not practitioners of temporal avarice.
In this way, may we live not as those who sell the Savior for worldly gain but as those who, with saintly abandon, give all to gain Christ. Amen.
May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always.
May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us.
Amen.
©John's Repentance
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