Wednesday of Holy Week
- Feast Day
- April 1
Wednesday of Holy Week, popularly called Spy Wednesday in older English usage, takes its name from the Gospel of the day, Matthew 26:14-25, which narrates Judas Iscariot's agreement with the chief priests to betray Christ for thirty pieces of silver. The Mass formulary reflects the imminence of the Sacred Triduum, which begins at sundown on Holy Thursday with the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper.
The first reading is the third Servant Song of Isaiah (Isaiah 50:4-9a), in which the Servant gives his back to those who beat him and does not hide his face from spitting. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 69, In your great love, answer me, O Lord.
In Rome and many other dioceses, the day is observed with Tenebrae or with Mass of the Holy Oils when the Chrism Mass is transferred from Holy Thursday morning. With the conclusion of evening prayer on Wednesday, the season of Lent ends and the Sacred Paschal Triduum begins.
Wednesday of Holy Week stands at the threshold of the Triduum. The Gospel exposes the moment of explicit choice for betrayal, while the Servant Song foretells the silent endurance of the Christ who will not turn aside. The day's liturgy invites the Church to a final examination of conscience before entering the Three Days that contain the entire mystery of redemption.
Sources