Readings
Isaiah 50:4-9
Matthew 26:14-25
Reflection
Holy Wednesday, often called Spy Wednesday, marks the moment Judas chose to betray Jesus. There is something deeply haunting about his decision. Judas had walked with Jesus, listened to Him, shared meals with Him. So what changed within him?
Some scholars suggest Judas may have carried the popular longing for a political Messiah, a powerful warrior who would overthrow Rome and prove God’s power. But Jesus only kept speaking of suffering, of the cross, of a kingdom not built on force and forgiving one’s enemies. Perhaps Jesus was not who Judas wanted Him to be. And so, maybe, in frustration or desperation, Judas tried to force His hand, hoping that if pushed far enough, Jesus would finally reveal His might.
But Jesus never does.
Instead, we can imagine Him at that dinner table looking at Judas with a compassion almost too painful to bear. A gaze that sees everything, fear, confusion, betrayal and does not turn away. And loves him.
And when we look at our world today, our petrol prices, our leaders in government across the world, it feels uncomfortably close. We see wars justified in God’s name, and voices claiming that violence or political power will somehow bring about God’s kingdom. The wanting of that political violence saviour,  Armageddon.
It echoes the same temptation: to want a powerful, conquering Jesus on our terms.
And yet, Jesus refuses.
He does not take up the sword.
He does not seize control.
He remains the suffering, self-giving love that the world did not expect.
And perhaps that is where we must choose between a Messiah we can control or a love we must learn to trust.
Claire O’Donohue is currently serving as a member of the Oxley Passionist Youth Retreat Team. She holds a bachelor’s degree with majors in Visual Arts and Theology.