Today’s gospel, 'Spy Wednesday'
Wednesday in Holy Week
Join the small group that gathers on Wednesday mornings in St Mary's Church Westport (South Mall) for Holy Communion at 10.30am. Those who wish to may then enjoy coffee and chat in the Clew Bay Hotel (James Street, Westport) from 11am approx.
Wednesday in Holy Week is also known in some traditions informally as Spy Wednesday, alluding to events as they unfold in today's gospel reading.
Matthew 26:14-25
Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I betray him to you?’ They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ He said, ‘Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.” ’ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.
When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, ‘Surely not I, Lord?’ He answered, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’ Judas, who betrayed him, said, ‘Surely not I, Rabbi?’ He replied, ‘You have said so.’
They paid him thirty pieces of silver.
Christian Art
You can read or listen here to a reflection on this gospel and on Caravaggio's The Taking of Christ:
https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-26-14-25-2025/
Sacred Space
You can find a gentle prayer guide and meditation here:
https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-04-16/
A prayer from Sacred Space, shared with thanks:
"Jesus often asked questions of those who came to him:
Let me sense him close to me now,
listening to my prayer and asking
How can I help you?
What can I give you?
What do you need?
I thank God for his gift of love
as I go forth with joy and hope
to serve his people."
